Superfeast

Appetizer - What is a symbol that inspires you?

A triskele.
Having had several "rebirths" in my life, a symbol for life, death, and rebirth resonates with me. When I see a triskele, it reminds me that life is always in a constant state of change.

Soup - Name something (either serious or funny) that has happened in your life that you would consider a miracle.

I'm sober.

Salad - How do you handle criticism?

Who is it from? For the most part, I think I handle criticism fairly well. No matter the source, criticism usually stings a little. I'm adept at keeping my reactions hidden, however; I might be disappointed on the inside, but I won't allow that emotion to show.

Main Course - Complete this sentence: I feel alone when...

I'm in a crowd of people.

Dessert - Name one TV show you wouldn't want to be caught dead watching.

Extreme Makeover. The message behind this program, that people should undergo extensive plastic surgery to feel better about themselves, is the most deplorable message presently put forth by television.

Sacred Happiness

I ran across this earlier today and really like it.

May all be free from sorrow,
and the causes of sorrow,
May all never be separated
from the sacred happiness
which is sorrowless.

-Buddhist prayer

Fell Feast

Appetizer - Describe your week in one word.

Mundane.

Soup - Tell about a funny practical joke that you've played on someone (or that was played on you!).

I'm not really much of a practical joker, but I tried to reach my folks yesterday to tell them STK had gone into laber two months early. They weren't home. Drat. That would have been a good one.

Salad - Name someone you had a crush on when you were a kid.

Jody Godwin. As elementary school goes, she was way out of my league.

Main Course - If you were a member of royalty, what would your title be?

Royalty? Who needs royalty? I'm a doctor! That title is enough for me.

Dessert - What colors are the clothes you are wearing today?

Black t-shirt, blue denim, and black Chuck Taylors.

Living Peace

As I went through my regular news and blog routine this morning, I noticed that I haven't been posting much content to my own blog. Yeah, I've been posting goofy toy pictures, Friday Feasts, and the like, but I haven't been doing much in the way of narratives, life updates, or personal opinions/thoughts on matters of the day. After a little self-reflection, I've come to the conclusion that I'm encountering something similar to the doldrums (a windless area of the oceans near the equator).

After a period of "action" that stretched from September to early this month, I've entered an extended period of living calm. Rather than fretting about dissertation chapters, a job, grading, the pending move (scheduled for late July), the arrival of a new member of our family, and other usual sources of stress and anxiety, I find myself in a place of inner peace and quiet. With the dissertation and job search complete, I don't have the usual March/April WTF-Am-I-Going-To-Do-About-A-Job? crisis rattling around my brain. Being a short-timer at my present teaching position, the grading doesn't seem so daunting--I just need to get it done. We've figured out the basics of the move and it all appears doable (ask me about this in late June). The closer we get to the TLO's arrival, the more I know I'm ready.

Without the usual levels of anxiety and stress, I'm living one breath at a time and enjoying every moment. STK and I have been catching up on DVDs: Clone Wars Animated and Hellboy last weekend--Love Actually and Ray are on tap. I've also been doing a lot of reading. I finished a couple Star Wars novels last week and started the Labyrinth of Evil, the book that leads up to the opening scrawl of Revenge of the Sith. One Breath at a Time, a book that applies Buddhist principles to AA's 12 Steps, has also consumed a fair segment of my time. I even found myself inspired to meditate a couple nights back--that hasn't happened in at least a couple of months.

Peace. Calm. Contentment. I'm rather enjoying the doldrums.

Feast Common Denominator

Appetizer - What is the worst movie you've ever seen?

I've seen an awful lot of horrible movies. A couple off the top of my head: AvP, Some Kind of Wonderful, and Raptor Island.

Soup - Name something that reminds you of your childhood.

Star Wars.

Salad - If you had to live in a large city, which one would you want it to be?

New York City or San Francisco.

Main Course - What's a "big word" you like to use to impress people?

Obfuscate (or any derivative thereof: obfuscation, obfuscating). Concommitantly appears in my writing from time to time. Epistemological, hermeneutical, phenomenological, and ontological are also words I use to impress.

Dessert - Describe your hairstyle.

Neo-Buddhist monk.

Corrupting My Youth

With The Little One's arrival approximately 2.5 months away, I've started the process of gathering some interesting toys. I realize that he won't really be able to start enjoying them until he's been on the planet for a couple years or so, but I figure I might as well start the geekification process as early as possible. Behold the 1st purely geek purchases from loving parents to their child.

Gigan lives!


Nyarlathotep, the Creeping Chaos!

Clone Wars, Vol II

::slight wave of hand:: This is the cartoon series you're looking for.

Clone Wars!

Clone Wars coolness resumes tonight and continues through the end of the week. Check out Cartoon Network at 8 PM MST. Each new episode is 12 minutes.

The Eloquence of the New Thunderbolts

Reading through Thunderbolts #6, I came across a conversation that had me chuckling. The Thunderbolts are in the middle of a massive battle with the agents of HYDRA and the Atlantean terrorist group known as Fathom Five when the following conversation occurs.

Blizzard: There are too many of them!
Radioactive Man: They are only fodder.
Speed Demon: But they taste like chicken!

What? Taste like chicken? That's so goofy it's funny. Have I mentioned how much I'm digging the new Thunderbolts comic?

Sunday's Required Reading

Adorno as Antidote.
Thus, those who assume that Adorno was politically conservative because he didn’t like American mass culture don’t look closely enough at why he didn’t like it—they miss the deep ideological interconnectedness he traced between subjectivity, consumption, production, the conditions of possibility for empathy and, with this, political agency.

No-Wave Music .
"When any group of people pursue artistic freedom for its own sake without thought of reward or backslapping is when people and a place in time become vital, as pat and cheesed-out as the phrase 'true artistic freedom' is. I like it 'cause it seems true, and I am so fake."

Picasso the Poet.
orange blossom jasmine
cabinet perfumed with
pine scent little sugar
cube stuck sentry-like on
point of bayonet drawn
from his gaze and
bleeding honey from his
fingers on the dove's
wings burning at lake
bottom in the skillet of
his eyes shows up
exactly at the happy hour
with its flower needle pin
prick poised to touch the
sea's snout blue bull
wingèd incandescent
spread out at the ocean's
rim

13 things that don't make sense.
1 The placebo effect
2 The horizon problem
3 Ultra-energetic cosmic rays
4 Belfast homeopathy results
5 Dark matter
6 Viking's methane
7 Tetraneutrons
8 The Pioneer anomaly
9 Dark energy
10 The Kuiper cliff
11 The Wow signal
12 Not-so-constant constants
13 Cold fusion

Women Without a Clue.
True diversity is not about getting the right mix of partisanship, or gender, or race. It's about good journalism. A newspaper staffed by different kinds of people with different life experiences can offer a vastly richer and more complex perspective on the world. So until we as consumers demand diversity in substance rather than in bylines, we'll have to content ourselves with the Susan Estrichs of this world.

A Day in the Life

Despite sleeping in later than usual (9:15, I think), I still accomplished a great deal today. The highlights follow!

Graded papers. Classes resume on Tuesday and I still have a stack of Self-Concept papers to grade. I made it through six or seven this morning. While all of them had various weaknesses, they also had significant strengths and proved an enjoyable read. 25 papers to finish by Monday evening. No sweat.

Surfed Ebay. I'm bound and determined to track down several of the plush Godzilla toys. Specifically, I'm looking for a Godzilla, Gigan, Hedorah, and King Ghidorah. I'm watching several auctions and should be able to find a decent deal for the first three. King Ghidorah, on the other hand, appears to be a rather rare toy and commands a higher price. Still, if I could find one for around the $30 mark I'd probably bite. Is $30 too much to pay for something that will probably wind up drenched in infant slobber?

Anti-War Rally. As this is the 2nd anniversary of the Iraq invasion, rallies were held around the U.S. Being the peacenik that I am, I thought it only proper that I lend my voice to those opposing the war and the current administration. All the local television stations were in attendance. If each station ran a segment about the protest, the anti-war message was heard by tens of thousands of people across the state. Not a bad day's work. In honor of the protest, I broke out my new "Blue State University: We Put the Liberal in Liberal Arts" t-shirt (thanks, Mike!).

Workout. I managed to squeeze in a 1.5 hour workout. I stretched for 30 minutes, lifted weights for 30 minutes, and did cardio for 30 minutes. Tomorrow, I think I'll go for a 4 mile run and call it a day. My body needs a little rest.

Dinner with STK's Folks. STK's parents have been out of town and wanted to take me out to dinner for a belated birthday/Ph.D. dinner. Who was I to say no? We had a great meal at The Jerusalem, one of my favorite eateries, and ended the night at a wonderful little cafe for coffee and pastries. The cafe is one of a handful that serves locally roasted DazBog coffee, one of my favorites. Dazbog is one of three brands I keep in my private coffee reserve (the other brands are Peaberry and Kaladi Bros). I should also mention the In-laws scored bonus points by presenting me with a birthday gift of Aveda Clove shampoo and conditioner.

Battlestar Galactica. As STK and I were at the Nuggets vs Clippers game during Science Fiction Friday, we sat down and watched the latest episode of BG late tonight. Let me rephrase that: I sat down to watch BG and STK fell asleep on the couch. This show never ceases to amaze me. One week the show focuses on a military strike, the next week centers on personal relationships, and the next week foregrounds political elections. Wildly disparate in focus, all three episodes are absolutely riveting. That just goes to show that good writers can make ANY topic engaging. There's no question in my mind that BG is presently the best programming on the air.

***GEEK ALERT***

On Saturday, March 26, the Science Fiction Channel airs Alien Apocalypse, an original movie starring none other than Bruce Campbell! Now that's must see TV. I saw a preview tonight and it looks like classic Cambell. Here's the Sci-Fi blurb:

Dr. Ivan Hood (Bruce Campbell) and his team of astronauts return from their latest mission, only to find that Earth has been conquered and enslaved by aliens. Now Hood and fellow-scientist Kelly (Renée O'Connor, Gabrielle on Xena: Warrior Princess) must free humanity from its alien masters.

Wonder Whedon, er, Woman

Since discovering Buffy the Vampire Slayer way back when, I've been an avid fan of anything with which Joss Whedon is associated. Buffy, Angel, Firefly, and The Astonishing X-men are all top notch geek fare. I think Whedon is particularly good at creating strong female characters. For whatever reason, he gets it. Although rumors have floated around the web for months, there's finally confirmation that Whedon will direct a Wonder Woman feature film. Don't blow it, Joss. Just to be on the safe side, read the following article. If you follow this guy's advice, you can't miss.

A Letter To Joss Whedon

I couldn't have said it better myself.

Awaken to Your Own Nature

Love your true Self,
Which is naturally happy
And peaceful and bright!

Awaken to your own nature,
And all delusion melts like a dream.

-Ashtavakra Gita 18:1

Reading Rainbow

I've always been a voracious reader. As far back as elementary school, I've always had one novel or another sitting on my bedstand. In recent years, however, my reading evolved and became not only a source of pleasure, but also a professional requirement. These days, I usually have three different books going at once. One book is a novel, one is academic non-fiction, and another is my workout book that I read on the days I use the eliptical machine. Here's what I'm reading presently.

Novel. I just finished The Cestus Deception and started Jedi Trial. These are Clone Wars novels that occur between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. I'm gearing up for the final installment of the SW franchise!

Academic. I'm a couple chapters into Norms of Rhetorical Culture and it's not all that engaging. Farrell is making the claim that "Aristotle offers the first, and perhaps only, philosophical justification for what rhetoric must be if it is to be a fully realized, artistically significant human practice" (p. 62). He continues, "I will attempt to show how rhetoric moves from being an ethically significant form of activity to a practice: an activity with internal standards of excellence that, if achieved, yield conduct that is ethical" (p. 62). If I can't slog my way through the next chapter, I'll probably pick up Civility: Manners, Morals, and the Etiquette of Democracy.

Workout. While clearning out some of the boxes stored in my office closet, I stumbled across a long lost copy of Where's Harry: Steve Stone Remembers His Years with Harry Caray. I think I've had the damn thing since it was published but never got around to reading it. What a fun read! Reading the various anecdotes takes me back to the burgeoning years of my Cubs fanaticism. I really miss Harry.

Voltron Versus the Robofeast!

Appetizer - Where do you go when you want to relax?

For a very long run. Something about the the deep breathing and the rhythmic pounding of feet puts me into an almost meditative state.

Soup - Tell about something that made you laugh this week.

At dinner on Friday night, T & J told a great story about one of their first dates. The punchline was, "How much is the soup?"

Salad - What is your favorite texture?

Puppy fluff.

Main Course - If you were to publish your autobiography, what would the first sentence be?

It was a dark and stormy night . . .

or

Had I known the physical trauma of birth would wind up the least painful of the awakenings experienced in my lifetime, I probably would have had second thoughts about entering the world.

Dessert - Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? If so, how?

I used to drink copious amounts of Harp Lager and Guinness Stout. These days, I usually don a Green Lantern t-shirt and call it good.

Open Season on Professors: How I Became a Ward Churchill Supporter

For several weeks now, the Ward Churchill constroversy has simmered in Colorado. Churchill, a professor in the University of Colorado's Ethnic Studies department, wrote a controversial piece the day after 9/11 that described workers in the World Trade Center as "little Eichmanns." His basic argument is that U.S. American workers, particularly those employed by transnational corporations, tacitly support the exploitation of native peoples around the world. In refusing to acknowledge or address these abuses, employees become as responsible as the parent company for the harms inflicted on less priveleged people. As a result of their participation in a system that promotes the abuses of others, the employees of a company become legitimate targets of terrorist attack. Although Churchill uses langage far more inflammatory and engages in hyperbole bordering on dishonesty, I understand his basic premise and even partially agree. When people work for a group or company engaging in unethical practices and don't speak out, they are also responsible for the harms perpetrated. Where Churchill and I differ, however, is the notion of people being legitimate targets of retribution. Violence, for any reason, is never an answer.*

From everything I've heard and read about Churchill, he's a real creep. He berates people he encounters, he bullies other academics, he manufactures evidence to support his claims, and supports the use of violence as a form of political resistance. Ward Churchill and I would probably not get along in any capacity. If that's the case, why would I support him?

University's around the nation have tenure laws in place, laws to protect University professors from having their research politically squashed. Tenure is not an ironclad protection from being fired--there are processes built into tenure that allow a University to review and revoke a professor's academic standing. It's a long process, for good reason, but it can be done. In the case of Ward Churchill, opponents weren't content to let the process play out. Instead, a number of politicos decided it was their place to jump in and demand the firing of Ward Churchill. Governor Owens (a Republican), Dan Caplis (a local conservative talk show host), Bill O'Reilly, and groups like The Claremont Institute (a conservative think tank), decided to jump into the fray. In doing so, they politicized the debate regarding Ward Churchill. From what I understand, CU's tenure policy states very clearly that a professor is protected from losing her or his position as a result of political pressure.

Two days ago, news surface that the University and Churchill had agreed on a buyout, a solution that would seem to solve the problem without putting the school in jeopardy of a retaliatory lawsuit. Churchill leaves the University and the University gets rid of a shady academic character. Now the politicos are leaning on the Regents to withdraw the buyout offer--only a firing will do!

For me, the controversy doesn't even concern Ward Churchill anymore. Instead, this has become a debate over whether conservative politicians will be given the power to go after professors with whom they disagree. This is an extremely dangerous precedent to set. Given the general attitude of conservatives regarding such "liberal" academic topics as women's studies, ethnic studies, queer theory, Marxist theory, and critical studies, acquiesence by the University endangers all of us who teach these topics.

*Noam Chomsky makes a far more compelling, and well-supported, assessment of why countries and people around the world oppose a U.S. presence in Hegemony or Survival.

The New Ultimate Avengers!

From a comic message board I frequent:

...now that New Avengers is such a success Marvel will disassemble the Ultimates and create "The New Ultimates". The new team will be twice as powerful and great in the Ultimate Universe, the New Ultimates lineup will consist of: 1.Ultimate Spiderman 2.Ultimate Wolverine
ITS GONNA BE GREAT!!

AHAHAHAHAHA! Too funny. And you know, the Powers-That-Be at Marvel may be stupid enough to do something like this.

No More Training Do You Require

Despite a grueling two hour defense during which two committee members gave me a good, old-fashioned academic drubbing, I passed my oral exams with "No Revisions." What that means is that my dissertation is accepted, as written, and will be submitted to Graduate Studies sometime next week. I'll spend a day next week reading through the thing one more time for typos, punctuation errors, and the like. After a very long journey, I'm finally a doctor.

While I'm thrilled the process is finally finished (or is that PhinisheD?), the defense experience reminded me that I'm not as smart as I like to think. There will always be someone smarter than me, someone from whom I can learn. Looking back, that may be the most important lesson of the graduate experience: the learning always continues.

Mr. Plumber

Accomplished over the weekend:

One bath/shower faucet fixed.
150 papers graded.
Shaun of the Dead watched (hysterical--must see).
Kill Bill vol. 2 watched (enjoyed this way more than vol. 1).
Dissertation advisor consulted.
Defense presentation prepared.
Errands runned.

I have a big week looming.

Tuesday: Work by day, theStart at Boulder Theater by night.
Wednesday: Dissertation defense. Post-defense celebration/lunch (hopefully).
Thursday: Work.
Friday: Spring break begins! 37th birthday dinner at Soleil.
Saturday: Dinner with friends at Racines.

Much celebrating and eating out to be done this week. Time to increase the workout a bit.

Wicked Witch of the Feast

Appetizer - Who is the one person you email more often than anyone else?

My dissertation writing partner. We email comments back and forth several times a week. Those emails should be tapering off, though. Assuming I have some revisions, I should wrap up the entire dissertation process over the course of the next couple weeks. She should wrap up by the end of the current quarter.

Soup - So far, which year of your life has been the most enjoyable?

I'm thinking the upcoming year is going to be more than spectacular: new child, new job, new home.

Salad - Name someone with whom you have lost touch but would like to reunite.

I can think of three off the top of my head: Steve, Tommy, and Tracy. I could probably get in touch with Steve and Tommy within a matter of minutes. Tracy would probably be more difficult to track down.

Main Course - What was the tastiest meal you had this past week?

Spinach salad. Organic wheat spaghetti. Quorn meatballs. Breyers Light Samoa Girl Scout Cookie ice cream (delicious! STK rates it as "the best ice cream ever!")

Dessert - Using the letters in your favorite color, write three words that describe your personality.

Gregarious. Erudite. Nonstandard.

It's All the Buzz!

For a network that features some damn good television, The SciFi Channel puts out some horrendous movies. I give you, Mansquito!

Where's that 50 gallon drum of deet when you need it?

Showing Love

If you are showing love to your fellow human being, you are showing love to your God.

--The Dalai Lama

All We Need is White Picket Fence

During our arctic sojourn to SMT, STK and I took a look at several homes owned by SMC. The school leases the homes to incoming faculty for up to two years at ridiculously low cost. Since we're new to the area and we're not really sure exactly where we want to live in the booming metropolis of SMT, we decided to take adventage of SMC's transitional housing. After looking at three different residences, we decided on this one:



The commute from our front door to my office is five minutes. On foot. In the snow. Sure beats the hell out of the 1.25 hour commute I presently make by car.

STK already has numerous interior design modifications in mind. In fact, she already made me check with the school about repainting (the interior is presently hospital white) a couple of the rooms.

Required Reading.

Motherhood Chic. We've been talking about popular culture representations of the U.S. American family at school. The hipness of motherhood is a new angle.

Coffee 101. Why didn't they offer this class when I was in school? Seriously, though, I'll have to give some thought to creating a class similar to the ones discussed in the article. Historically, coffee houses and salons have been a place of intellectual exchange and community building. Communication and the Coffee House anyone?

The Clash: Lennon & McCartney Redux? Were The Clash really a punk band? This author doesn't think so.

Remembering Hunter S. Thompson. Thompson never did much for me. Years ago, I tried to make it through Fear and Loathing and couldn't do it. More interesting, I think, is to try and understand why so many people were enamored with him. Thoughts?

Set Your Cathode Rays to Stun(ning). Some reflections on Sci-Fi's most excellent night of television. Since I teach with the guy, I thought I'd give him some props.

The Witches of Feastwick

Appetizer - Name something that makes you scream.

Bad coffee. It's not so much as a scream as it is a gag combined with a loud growl of displeasure. I'll take a sip of rancid coffee and then, "Gaaauuuuughhhh! That's horrible!"

Soup - Who is a musician you enjoy listening to when you want to relax?

Diana Krall. The Cardigans. Delerium.

Salad - What was the last book you purchased?

I think I bought three at the same time: Runes of the Earth (Donaldson), Green Lantern: Sleepers Book Two (Priest & Baron), and Clone Wars Adventures, Vol 2. The next book purchase will be, Uncommon Grounds.

Main Course - If you could live one day as any historical figure, who would it be, and what would you do?

Samuel Adams. Of all the rabble-rousers and revolutionairies out there, he's the one that touches me most (I also considered Thoreau & Sid Vicious). He was unflinching in his dedication to securing the rights and liberties of his fellow colonists; so much so, in fact, that he spent his entire life on the verge of economic ruin.

Dessert - Tell about a time when you were lost. Where did you end up? How long did it take you to get back to where you were going?

During our high school geometry class (with Mr. Hess), we always did those damn geometorical proofs. You know, the proofs that look shockingly similar to enthymemes and syllogisms from logic and critical thinking? I never undersood how to do those freaking things. Despite the help of Mike and Mr. Hess, I couldn't figure the damn things out. Talk about lost. 20 some years later and I'm still lost when it comes to mathematical proofs.

It Is What It Is

My last post apparently offended a blogosphere colleague. Sorry, but I call 'em like I see 'em. It seems there are some who take issue with my practice of using the term "bigot" to describe those opposed to gay rights. If I understand the objection correctly, I (and other proponents of gay rights) use the term "bigot" in an attempt to silence the opposition. Ah, the old "oppressors become the oppressed" argument. I'll respectfully disagree. My intent isn't to silence but to define an opinion espoused by a group of people as intolerant and prejudiced. According to Merriam-Webster Online, the definition of a bigot is "a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices." I believe I'm using the term properly.

Let's be honest here, the majority of the resistance to gay rights isn't based on anything other than religious. The entire debate regarding genetics or choice is an attempt to obfuscate the real motivation behind various intitiatives, referendums, and constitutional amendments. Grounded in their religious belief that homosexuality is wrong, most conservatives feel the need to try and legislate their morality on the rest of us. Based on religious ideology, some people feel justified in what I see as intolerance. Those opposed to gay rights are absolutely entitled to their opinion and beliefs, just as I'm entitled to mine. Those opposed to gay rights can keep preaching about an ideology of evil, the danger to the institution of marriage, and the erosion of public morality. All the while, I'll keep pointing out the intolerant spirit of those opinions.

There will always be a percentage of our population, maybe a majority of our population, that doesn't agree with same sex marriage. That doesn't mean the majoriy opinion is right.

I guess that's the thing that bothers me the most about this entire debate. Where does anyone get the idea that they have the right to tell two people who love one another that they can't enter the legal state of marriage? That absolutely mystifies me. Why is that anyone's business other than the two people who apply for the license? We're not talking the religious sacrament of marriage, folks; the religious aspect is something entirely different and should be left up to the respective belief systems. Speaking of which, I'm a legally ordained minister and will be happy to bless any same sex couple. I wish I could grant the legal state, but that's out of my power.

I think I'll just leave the argument that homosexuality is some kind of genetic defect in need of "treatment" alone. Talk about pathologizing someone's sexual identity.

Ideology of Stupidity

Well, if I ever needed another reason to totally discount the Pope (other than the fact that I'm not Catholic, of course), I finally have it.

Gay Marriage is Evil!

Are you kidding me? All the ills in the world and he identifies gay marriage as part of an ideology of evil? John Paul, stop with the bigotry and start practicing what your savior preached: love and tolerance.

It's moments like these that I realize why the Protestant Reformation occured. Sheesh.

Across the Frozen Tundra!

STK and I just returned from a visit to Small Midwest Town, our future home. While the cold air and snow swirled around us, the hospitality of the good people of SMT warmed our hearts ::wretch:: Yeah, the people were nice but it was DAMN cold. More about the trip when I get a chance to actually sit down and write for a bit.

In our next episode, STK and I face our greatest rental car fear* . . . the PT Cruiser! Nooooooo!

*Okay, this is actually my second greatest rental car fear. I faced my 1st greatest rental car fear several years back while visiting Salt Lake City. I arrived at the rental car company only to find they had screwed up and rented out all their regular cars. I wound up cruising SLC in a ::hangs head in shame:: minivan. I was single at the time--you can bet I dazzled all the goth hotties as a I drove up to club Sanctuary in my Family Truckster.

D-Day

At 10:00 AM this morning, I submitted my dissertation defense paperwork. My defense is scheduled for March 9, 2005 at 9:00 AM. Hard to believe it's almost over. A bit of editing this week, a couple weeks of brushing up on dissertation content, and I should be good to go. I'd say "bring it on!" but we all know how that worked out for George the Younger.

The Feast India Company

Appetizer - Name 2 things you do that you consider beneficial to your health.

Exercise. Vegetarianism.

Soup - If you made a New Year's resolution, how's it going so far?

I didn't make one. The fact that I don't drink/drug, smoke, and I exercise regularly really cuts down on resolution material. Besides, if I want to change something in my life why would I wait until January 1? Nonsense.

Salad - Name something that has happened lately that bothers you.

I was really worked up over some scheduling conflicts yesterday. After many emails and a couple phone calls, everything has been sorted out.

Main Course - What is your favorite quote, and who said it?

"To change ourselves, we must change the world; to change the world we must be willing to change ourselves." (Starhawk, Truth or Dare, p. 22)

Dessert - What do you collect?

I don't know that I actually collect them but I do have a nice collection of Green Lantern, Clone Wars Animated, Justice League, and Iron Man figures.

Nick Van Excrement

On a message board that I frequent, a very misguided Nuggets fan suggested Nick Van Exel as a good pick-up for the team. Years ago, when he decided it was time to leave Denver, Nick the Prick demanded a trade and then dogged it on the court. That's right, he quit on his team. He purposefully played half-assed basketball. A professional athlete, someone who gets paid MILLIONS of dollars to play a game, decided it was okay to force a trade by purposefully playing crappy basketball. The Nuggets traded him, of course. Nick Van Exel will always be #1 on my 10 Most Hated Athletes of All Time list. That shit is just LAME.

I'm obviously not alone in my sentiments. Check out the follow-up post to the message board "Let's Get Nick" suggestion. Music to my ears.

I won't bash you for posting the idea, but I will bash Nick The Quit.

He was on a winning team in L.A., but he wanted more shots, he wanted a fat contract, he wanted the spotlight. Dan Issel brought him in, gave him a fat contract, made him the focal point of the offense, gave him all the shots he wanted and even made him a team captain.

Naturally, this wasn't good enough for Van Excrement, as now he wasn't happy with losing. Funny how it never seemed to cross his mind that as the highest paid player and a team captain the losing was as much on his shoulders as anyone elses.

So he not only wants out, but publicly gripes about wanting out on almost a daily basis until he's finally granted his wish (the spoiled child kicks and screams until he gets his way yet again).

Then he found a situation he liked in Dallas......and they dumped him. Starting to think that you might be part of the problem yet Nick?

I'd rather the Nuggets lose every game left on their schedule than see them bring that whiny little a-hole back. Screw that loser, let him rot in Portland.

Since we don't have a player of our own in the All-Star Game, an event being held IN DENVER, dozens of Nuggets fans will sit around for the next few days and bicker about stuff like this.

Nuggets4Life!

War of the Worlds!

Uh oh. We'd better keep on eye on Mars.

NASA Asks: Life on Mars?
So Does the ESA

I've been following this developing story for quite some time. In the Fall of 2004, I heard a guest on Coast to Coast AM--I listen as I fall asleep--talk about a scientist who was poised to release similar info, much of which was based on the concentrations of methane, at a scientific conference in Europe. For whatever reason, the scientist pulled his presentation at the last second. If I remember the conversation correctly, the guest on the show speculated that the evidence was pulled for one of two reasons: 1) a last minute error was discovered in the research; or 2) suppression of data by the powers-that-be. The guest supported the suppression of evidence by governmental folk. There are those who believe that the "ordinary" person will be deeply disturbed by the discovery of life on a celestial body other than Earth. Theologically, the possibility of life throughout the universe presents some unique challenges to a number of religious belief systems.

As for me, I think the possibility of life on Mars is just plain cool. If life exists so close to home, in our own back yard, it's a pretty good bet that life exists in other solar systems. The worlds of Star Wars and Star Trek may be more realistic than we think.

Valentine's Day in Hell

The following is a real conversation from last evening.

Me: Uh, STK, how would you feel about modifying our Valentine's Day plans?
STK: What did you have in mind?
Me: Well, I just a recieved an invite for a free screening through the Film Society for tomorrow night.
STK: Really? What film?
Me: Constantine.
STK: Oh, yeah! What time do we need to be there?
Me: Screening starts at 7. We'll probably need to be there about 5:30 or so to guarantee our tickets. What about dinner?
STK: Popcorn for dinner.

Have I mentioned how lucky I am to have a partner like STK? For those keeping score, Constantine is not the only holiday activity. STK has a dozen roses, her favorite candy, and a personalized card waiting for her to get home from school. I awoke this morning to a card and a gift bag filled with my two favorite kinds of black licorice. Mmmmm.

STK, popcorn, candy, and a trip to Hell with Keanu Reeves (take that however you'd like--it could be his acting that's hellish) . . . a good holiday, I'd say.

Music to Soothe the Savage Feast

Okay, it's more like a feast to soothe the savage feast.

Appetizer What do you want for Valentine's Day?

A completed stack of papers. I'm presently grading 150 think pieces for Communication and Popular Culture.

Soup If you could change the color of something you own, what would it be and which color would you make it?

I think I'd paint one of the walls in my office green.

Salad What's your favorite day of the week and why?

Friday. It's the beginning of my weekend (my last day of teaching is Thursday) and I'm typically very productive.

Main Course What excuse do you use most often?

"Shoot. I have a stack of papers to grade."

Dessert Name something or someone you feel sorry for.

Governor Owens. I can't begin to imagine what it's like to be that stupid. I don't feel like ranting about him right now, but let's just say my hatred of him increased exponentially when he uttered the words, "We may need revisit tenure laws in Colorado."

Yersinia pestis . . . Wanna Touch It?

While most people surround their children with teddy bears and pastel colors, we've decided to go with something a little more unique.

Godzilla Plush Toys!

Microbe Mania

Nothing says love like a plush Godzilla and Hedorah. Gigan, Anguirus, and Mothra are also on the list. King Ghidorah would be AWESOME but that toy is a little difficult to find--some are selling for $60+. A little steep for a toy that will surely be coated in slobber.

STK thinks the Bed Bug and Bookworm are must haves. Can you imagine saying "don't let the bed bugs bite!" and throwing that thing into the bed with a child! That joke will work into the early teen years. Never ending jocularity, I tell you. Personally, I'm kind of partial to The Black Death. Can you imagine the look on someone's face during the following conversation.

Adult: Aaawwwww. That's a cute toy.
TLO: That's Black Death!
Adult: ::stunned:: Uh, what?
TLO: It's the bubonic plague!
Adult: ::nervous laughter::
TLO: Its proper name is yersinia pestis. Wanna touch it?
Adult: ::pulls back and glowers at STK and I:: What are you teaching this child?
STK: ::ignores adult:: Derek, did you hear that? He pronounced yersinia pestis correctly! Nice work, kiddo. We're so proud of you. ::big hug::

Other parents are gonna hate us.

I Have Constructed a New Dissertation.

Around 7 PM last night, I finished a draft of my concluding chapter. The Conclusion isn't anything earth-shattering and doesn't offer any discipline transforming theory; we're talking the basic "here's what I done did" type conclusion. Works for me--let's hope it works for my advisor. After watching the first couple episodes of Wonderfalls with STK (thank the maker for the DVD release of cancelled series), I reformatted every chapter to fit the specs required by the Office of Graduate Studies. All told, the dissertation comes in at 200 pages, a little more with the Works Cited. I'm meeting with KLM, my dissertation writing partner this morning--she'll give me feedback on Chapter Seven and I'll probably ask her to do a quick, on the spot, read of the conclusion. After an afternoon editing session, I should be ready to overwhelm my advisor with a barrage of chapters tomorrow AM.

My skills are complete. Indeed, I am powerful, as the Emperor has foreseen.

Feast Boy

Appetizer - If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why?

Like Mike, I'd be a black lab. As dogs go, they're the most loyal, kind, and friendly breed out there. The fact that they're both goofy and smart makes them fun to be around, too. Where's the ball?Where's the ball?Where's the ball? Pet me.Pet me.Pet me.

Soup - What does the color purple make you think of?

Feminist spirituality, Hawkeye, and the Grape Ape.

Salad - Approximately how long does it take you to get ready each morning?

1.25 hours. I get up, shower, feed the animals, finalize the wardrobe, spend 15 minutes sipping coffee/reading news/checking email, take the dogs out, kiss STK goodbye, and hit the road by 6:15.

Main Course - How many cousins do you have, and are you close to them?

Eight, I think. I keep tabs on my three maternal cousins. I'm lucky if I see the paternal cousins once every couple of years. Despite my lack of real contact with all of my cousings, my life hasn't suffered one bit.

Dessert - Take your initials (first, middle, last) and come up with something else those letters could stand for. (Example: SFO = Sweet Funny Otter)

Dialectically Reconceptualized Subjectivity

Dawn of the Wireless Internet Age

I ran across this message posted on a live journal site:

Wireless internet has to be one of the greatest inventions of all time...
To be able to fulfill the urge of pooping and emailing at the same time...
Though the rennaisance times tempt me on occasion this would be tough to give up

Holy shit (pun intended) is that funny. Can't wait until I go wireless and can give that a try!

Summarize That

STK and I have scheduled a Presidents' Day weekend journey to the town, and it is a town, in which Small Midwest College is located. STK has yet to see our future hometown firsthand. We'll have an opportunity to get our housing situation finalized, we think. SMC offers transitional housing for new faculty and we're thinking we'll likely take advantage of that perk. I talked to Transitional Housing Guy several weeks back and the school owns several small homes throughout the community, a couple of which are right across the street from campus. According to THG, a three bedroom house that's approximately two minutes from the front door of my office, is ours for the taking (or is that leasing?). How cool will that be? Minutes from work and no commute?! What will I do with the extra three hours in my day? Did I mention that our housing costs, even if we decide to buy a house, will be halved? Yeah, we're sacrificing some aspects of urban life we've come to know and love. Still, SMC is only an hour from two moderate sized cities and two hours from a major metropolitan area (and we have friends who live there). So, we'll be able to get our city slicker fix from time to time. We're looking forward to scoping out the place for a few days.

One of my favorite cartoons of all time is now available on DVD. I am now the proud owner of Superman the Animated Series: Volume One. I absolutely LOVE this version of Superman. The series really captures the personality of Clark Kent/Superman and his commitment to help others, no matter the cost.

Not much else going on in these parts. The Little One continues to grow at what seems like an exponential rate--the last doctor's appointment gave us another "All is Well" report. I can't wait to geekify TLO. We'll have to have some very long talks about not playing with Dad's action figures. Why do I get the feeling I'll probably be buying two of everything in a couple years?

Summarize This!

I wrote the following earlier today:

In the opening pages of Chapter One, I identified the shortcomings of post-subculturalist theory and suggested the need for a new approach to the rhetorical constitution of the subcultural self. During the course of Chapter Two, I charted the development of a phenomenological understanding of rhetorical subjectivity and argued that Schrag’s notion of a performative self provides a new approach to examining the way in which active human agents negotiate the self after postmodernity. While Chapter Three outlined a methodological approach for examining the simultaneous performance of collective and individual subjectivities, my ethnographic description of the goth scene, Chapter Four, provided the groundwork for a thorough application of Schrag’s theory. Chapters Five, Six, and Seven detailed the performance of the subcultural self in discourse, action, and community. In this final chapter I return to the driving questions of this dissertation project: How are individual and collective subjectivities rhetorically constituted, negotiated, and performed, both discursively and non-discursively, in the realm of everyday human interaction? More specifically, how do goths, through the rhetorical articulation of affective individuality directed toward the other, engage in the rhetorical constitution of the subcultural self? How does the subcultural self simultaneously position herself or himself as both a "we", a member of a collective, and an "I", a unique individual? How does the rhetorical performance of the subcultural self contribute to the constitution of a subcultural ideology resistant to hegemonic cultural norms?

That's the opening paragraph to Chapter Eight: The Rhetorical Reclamation of the Subcultural Self. I also refer to Chapter Eight as The Conclusion. That's right, the last chapter of rhetorical analysis is in the hands of my dissertation writing partner for feedback. While she's reading/commenting for a few days, I'm doing the synthesizing of my entire research project. Estimated time of completion for Chapter Eight: Sunday evening. I plan on delivering Chapters Five, Six, Seven, and Eight to my dissertation advisor on Monday morning. I can't begin to explain how tired I am of this project.

Everything You do is Zen

Not thinking about anything is zen. Once you know this, walking, standing, sitting, or lying down, everything you do is zen. To know that the mind is empty is to see the Buddha...Using the mind to look for reality is delusion. Not using the mind to look for reality is awareness. Freeing oneself from words is liberation.

-Bodhidharma

The Path of Feast Resistance

Time for the weekly feast.

Appetizer - If you could have a free subscription to any magazine, which one would you like to have?

National Geographic, Outburn, or Rockrgrl.

Soup - If you were to suddenly become famous, what would you choose as your stage name?

Dirk Plasma.

Salad - What ingredients make an awesome salad? Dressing? Croutons?

Romaine lettuce and fresh leaf spinach. Add cucumbers, bell peppers, black olives, carrots, broccoli, julienned zucchini, garbonzo beans, and a bit of crumbled feta cheese. Top with a light drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette. Mmmmm.

Main Course - What do you like most about your current job?

That I get to talk about my academic loves almost everyday. The students with whom I interact are usually a high point, too.

Dessert - Who is your favorite instrumental musician (not a singer)?

Allen Vizzutti, jazz trumpeter extraordinaire, was my last instrumental musician obsession. I love classical music and jazz, but don't really follow a particular musician.

Iron Who?

The following link sums up my thoughts about the current Warren Ellis run on Iron Man.

Where's Iron Man?

That really cracks me up.

This & That

It's been a busy week. Classes are back in session and I've been scrambling to finish three WebCT sites. I'm hoping that by posting various syllabi, study guides, readings, and assignments, students won't pester me with "can I get a copy of the assignment" type emails. We shall see.

I've also been making the final push on the dissertation. My writing partner and I have a goal of trying to wrap up our current drafts by Wednesday, February 2. I've done some reorganizing of the final analysis chapter and I think I only have about 5 pages left to write. Add another 5-6 pages to the conclusion (I already have 4 pages of the conclusion written) and I should be done.

Later this afternoon, we have another appointment to check TLO (The Little One). I'll update as necessary.

In the Belly of the Feast

Appetizer - What is one quality you really admire about yourself?

I'm an excellent, and enterntaining, teacher. I'm the Bill Nye the Science Guy of communication studies crowd.

Soup - What kind of shampoo and conditioner do you use?

Shampoo: Aveda Clove. Nexxus Botanoil. Nature's Gate Awapuhi.
Conditioner: Aveda Clove. Nexxus Humectress. Aussie Moist.

Good hair products (and all other toiletries, actually) are a necessity. Do I pay more than most for hair products, soap, lotions, and the like? Yep. And it's worth every penny.

Salad - Describe your favorite movie scene. You know, the one that just gets to you every time you watch it.

Shakespeare in Love--The Story of Romeo and Ethyl, a pirate's daughter. When William and Viola perform Romeo and Juliet, a play that mirrors elements of their real life forbidden love, I always weep.

Main Course - If you were a veggie, which one would you be, and why?

Asparagus. It's different, yet cool looking.

Dessert - If you could take a weekend trip within 100 miles of your current residence, where would you like to go?

I'd take STK on a haunted getaway to The Stanley Hotel.

(Brought to you by Friday's Feast)

Peace

Better than a thousand useless words is one word that gives peace.

-Buddha

Idiot

::electronic squawk:: Attention! Attention! James Dobson is an idiot.

Attacking Sponge Bob

That is all.

Howling at the Moon

If you'll excuse me, I'm fresh out Azkaban and in dire need of a good late-night romp in the moonlight.

Your Alter Ego is Sirius Black. You are gifted wizard and loyal to your allegiance. However you can be a little arrogant and reckless at times.

Sirius Black 85% Hermione Granger 85% Harry Potter 80% Severus Snape 75% Ron Weasley 65% Albus Dumbledore 60% Remus Lupin 55% Draco Malfoy 45% Peter Pettigrew 30% Lord Voldemort 30% Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

After submitting my results, I had to answer another question. I'm guessing the question was designed to split the Sirius/Hermione tie.

Technological Frustrations

Yesterday was the beginning of my last full semester as an adjunct instructor for my BA and MA alma matter. As in past semesters, I'm teaching a smorgasbord of communication studies courses: Interpersonal Communication, Women and Communication, and Communication and Popular Culture. Despite the addition of a last minute section, everything went without a hitch. Or so I thought . . .

Early last week I contacted the appropriate personnel to confirm the on-line availability of my course readings. "No worries," I was told. I also spent several hours putting together a simple WebCT site for Communication and Popular Culture. Again, all seemed well. Last night, however, I received several frantic emails regarding access to readings and the WebCT site. It turns out that my readings had NOT been posted and, due to a campus wide glitch, one full section of Pop Culture lacked access to my WebCT site. After a couple of well-placed emails, the reading issue is now a thing of the past. The WebCT issue, on the other, may not be resloved until later this week. In the mean time, I get to field bunches of panick emails ("I can't access the site!").

Welcome to the new semester

We're Just Wild About Harry

That Prince Harry is such a scamp! Yikes. Very bad tast in costume, Harry.

Harry History
Royal Heil to Pay

Obviously, good old Harry didn't consider the consequences of his actions. Someone who, from the day of his birth, is trained to perform in the public eye should know better. The royal lineage, immeasureable wealth, and constant public scrutiny aside, I recognize a younger me in a lot of Harry's story; I did some REALLY stupid and insensitive things in my teens and early twenties.

Looking at that picture of Harry again, there has to be some academic work that could be done with the intersection of Nazi imagery, the punk aesthetic, and British royalty.

A Series of Fortunate Events

My string of amazingly good luck continued this week. First, STK and I received some welcome news regarding The Little One: all genetic tests came back AOK. I didn't post about this when it all went down because I didn't want people to freak out. Several weeks ago we received some troubling test results. The test, designed to screen for genetic disorders, indicated TLO was a higher-than-normal risk for Downes Syndrome. A follow-up ultrasound looked encouraging but the doctor reminded us that the only way to be certain was to do an amniocentesis, a procedure which carries a 1/350 risk of miscarriage. After a long eight days we finally received the "All Clear" on Thursday. Although STK and I were ready to provide the love and attention a special needs child requires, we're relieved our child apparently won't have to face genetically-based challenges. We also know the sex of TLO, but I'm not sure I'm ready to reveal that quite yet; STK, on the other hand, has been telling everyone.

Second, I received a call from Small Northeastern University, a school to which I applied VERY early in the application process. Some much time had passed since the application deadline that I assumed I was out of the running. Not so fast. SNU regarded me as a top candidate and wanted to extend an invitation for a campus visit. I thanked the search committee for their consideration and declined graciously (kind of difficult to interview when you've already signed a contract). Following that conversation, I immediately sat down and withdrew my application from any additional searches. In the course of withdrawing, I learned ANOTHER school (Small West Coast University) also had me listed as a top candidate. Feel the love.

Third, the school at which I presently teach offered summer work. So, I'll be teaching one section of Communication and Popular Culture from mid-May to Mid-June. The school also asked if I'd be willing to teach an additional section of Popular Culture this semester; I agreed, of course. The extra $$$ will enable us to pay off some minor debts and hire movers for this summer's Big Adventure.

What's the next fortunate event? Who knows. I'd be pretty content to have the streak end right here.

Mark of the Feast

Appetizer - If you could have a free subscription to any online service, which would you like to have?

Star Wars: Hyperspace

Soup - Describe your bathroom (furnishings, colors, etc.).

Two candles. Basket with cologne and lotions. Crystal sphere.

Salad - What does the shape of a triangle make you think of?

Alcoholics Anonymous. The symbol for AA is a circle with a triangle inside.

Main Course - Name 3 things or activities that you consider to be luxuries.

Exercising at a rec center (exercise is a necessity, the rec center is the luxury). Reading comic books. Cable television.

Dessert - What was the last really great movie you watched?

Hero. Beautiful imagery.

Huygens Has Landed

I'm fascinated by astronomy, astrophysics, astrobiology, and the like. That's probably why I woke up filled with the excitement of a child on Christmas morning. Late last night, sometime around 3 AM, the Huygens Titan probe started its descent toward Titan, the Saturnian moon. The probe survived the journey and now sits on the surface of Titan! Earth scientists should begin receiving data (provided everything is functioning properly) around 10:15 MST. Bring on the data!

UPDATE: Pictures of Titan's surface should be released around 12:45 MST. Pictures will 1st be available here.

UPDATE II: NASA seems to be posting pictures sooner than the ESA.

Parking Lot Philosophy

I had a dream last night that I was invited to be a member of a panel discussing philosophy and communication. As any good colleague and scholar, I agreed to particpate and joined up with my academic comrades at the appointed meeting place--a strip mall parking lot. Uh, whatever. At one point a young student from the audience became aggravated at my continued exhortations that there is, in fact, a difference between Being-in-the-world, Being-with-others, and Becoming. No matter how many times I explained the notion of "Becoming," she just couldn't wrap her mind around it.* My discourse became very animated as I jumped around the parking lot exhorting, "It's about Becoming! Meaning is negotiated in the exact moment of human interaction. There isn't anything else. It's all about the now. Buddhists write about a concept of mindfulness, of keeping your mind centered in the present moment. The constitution of meaning is similar to the concept of mindfulness; in communicative interactions there is no past, no future, just the now."

*Oddly enough, the "young student" was actually someone I knew in real life. She was a year or two behind me in graduate school and she constantly needed to have things explained and re-explained. She was always the last to "get it" in a class and she frequently derailed outstanding discussions with her simplistic questions. She drove me absolutely mad! I once made her cry with a rather scathing critique of some of her work. I didn't mean to make her cry. Really.

Rip Van Winkle

I just got up. It's 11 AM and I just dragged my sorry self out of bed. Back in the days of my youth, 11 AM would have be no biggie; in the days of my rapidly-approaching-middle-age, however, I NEVER sleep beyond 9 (and it's usually more like 7-8). I suppose my body needed the rest. Earlier this week I expressed the hope that my cold would not drop into my chest and start trigging my asthma. Those hopes were for naught ::wheeze:: In anticipation of this occurance I stopped by the pharmacy and purchased a jumbo size bottle of non-alcoholic expectorant cough syrup, guaranteed to "loosen chest congestion" for "productive coughing." Missing accomplished. Since sometime in the middle of the night, I've been coughing up yellowish-green gunk the consistency of Gak or Slime. It sure beats suffocating in my own phlegm.

The rest of the weekend was extremely low key. Friday night we got sucked into the Stargate: Atlantis marathon. STK and I, big science fiction/fantasy fans, hadn't given this series a look. We like it! We almost like it more than than the original Stargate: SG1 series. We're looking forward to the new Stargate/Stargate: Atlantis/Battlestar Galactica lineup on Friday nights. The new Galactica series, which is already playing in the UK, is getting fantastic reviews from sci-fi fandom.

We spent Saturday afternoon with my grandmother. She's visiting my folks for a few days and yesterday was the only time we had available. I think I'm done with family for a while. My father and I had the obligatory "Conservatives Suck! Liberals Suck!" argument. I've never understood the whole "joy of family" thing. I don't consider the time I spend with my family a joy. I like them well enough but we really don't have that much in common and I'd rather spend time with friends.

And on Saturday evening, spend time with friends we did. Tess & John, two of our favorite people, invited friends over for a "HORS D’OEUVRES and CHEESE buffet and night at the beach."* Since I wasn't feeling well (not breathing will do that to you), we made an 1.5 hour appearance and said our goodbyes. The majority of the party attendees were graduate school colleagues and significant others--it was nice to catch up with people I hadn't seen in some time. STK and her swollen belly (she's starting to show) received a great deal of attention. What is it about pregnant women that seems to suck people in?

*The "night at the beach" was a reference to taking advantage of the indoor pool, hot tub, and sauna in their apartment buidling. Awesome facilities, actually.

Speak Accordingly

Judge the nature of your listeners and speak accordingly. There is nothing more virtuous or valuable than this.

-Tirukkural 65:644

An entire semester of public speaking summed up in two sentences. There goes my job.

Feast Boy

Appetizer - Have you been sick yet this winter? If so, what did you come down with?

Twice. I've had the same damn cold three weeks apart. Just as I thought I was done with it--BAM--it slammed me again.

Soup - What colors dominate your closet?

Black, black, and more black.

Salad - How would you describe your personal "comfort zone"?

Quiet, calm, appreciative, and safe.

Main Course - On which reality show would you really like to be a contestant?

The Real Gilligan's Island. I'd kick ass as The Professor.

Dessert - Which holiday would you consider to be your favorite?

I am the shadow on the moon at night
Filling your dreams to the brim with fright

This is Halloween, this is Halloween
Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!
Halloween! Halloween!

Tender lumpings everywhere
Life's no fun without a good scare

That's our job, but we're not mean
In our town of Halloween

Lyrics from "This is Halloween" (The Nightmare Before Christmas)

Purple

you are purple #800080

Your dominant hues are red and blue. You're confident and like showing people new ideas. You play well with others and can be very influential if you want to be. Your saturation level is very high - you are all about getting things done. The world may think you work too hard but you have a lot to show for it, and it keeps you going. You shouldn't be afraid to lead people, because if you're doing it, it'll be done right. Your outlook on life can be bright or dark, depending on the situation. You are flexible and see things objectively.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Remembering

The world lost two incredible women over the course of the last two weeks.

Susan Sontag.
Shirley Chisholm.

Published!

I received word this morning that an article based on my dissertation argument will be published in an upcoming volume of Popular Communication. Autographed copies will be available at a modest fee. Heh.

A tenure-track position and a peer reviewed publication within two weeks? I need to go buy a lottery ticket.

When It Rains . . .

The holiday break continues and I haven't been nearly as productive as I would like. The resurgence of The Cold has kept me feeling like crud the last couple days. STK and I had to make a run to Target earlier this evening to stock up on Puffs Plus (there's potion in them!) and Aleve Cold & Sinus. If the cold proceeds like it did three weeks ago, my dripping nose should start dry up tomorrow. Of course, the crud then drops into the chest and threatens to suffocate me by triggering my asthma every two hours. Beautiful. Let's hope it doesn't get that bad this time around.

My contract from Small Midwest College arrived and everything seems in order. I've filled out all the appropriate paperwork and signed on the dotted line. The contract zips to SMC tomorrow and everything should be official. I also heard from my department Chair and we've been emailing back and forth in regard to my fall teaching schedule. I'll be teaching Public Address (public speaking), Media & Society (which I'll teach more as a popular culture course), and a new course of my own design. I'm debating between Rhetoric of the Everyday or Rhetoric and Spirituality. I'll post a course description when I decide.

Several weeks ago I posted about my job interview escapades at the annual NCA convention. That adventure resulted in the job offer from SMC and an invitation for a campus visit with Much Larger Southern University. Would you believe I received a call today from Much Larger Midwest University (the conference call school) regarding a campus visit? Thankfully, STK and I had discussed this as a possibility and took an invitation into consideration when making the SMC decision. I graciously declined the invitation and only experienced an hour of "Am I doing the right thing?" To be quite frank, I'm stunned at the amount of interest I've received. Of the four schools I pursued at NCA, three have invited me for a campus visit. That's batting .750, folks. Why am I surprised? While my teaching repetoire is outstanding (better than many professors, in fact), my publication record is still pretty sparse. I have one piece undergoing a second review presently; a lot of Ph.D. candidates out there have several published pieces.

Anyway, STK and I decided not to share this latest interview opportunity with my colleagues (I don't think any of them read my blog, anyway). Many grumbled when they heard about a second possible campus visit and the grumbling will certainly increase if I mention I turned down a third. As much as I love my profession, jealousy, ultra-competitiveness, and clashing egos are definitely a downside. I'm not totally immune to that part of my profession, either. There's a part of my mind whispering, "Tell 'em. TELL THEM. Tell them about all the attention you're receiving." Fortunately, I think, there's another part of my mind speaking mindfully: ""Sssshhhh. You already have a job at a school that fits you and your family's needs. Celebrate your accomplishments quietly. Hurting others serves no purpose."

If I could figure out exactly what happens when I meet people face-to-face and find a way to teach the skill to others, I could make millions. Of course, that would mean millions of possible competitors out there. If I ever figure it out, I think I'll keep it to myself.

Wal-Mart Sucks

Still shopping at Wal-Mart? You shouldn't.

Wal-Mart Sucks

Low prices are great. Low prices at the expense of the workers providing those prices is deplorable.

Fulfilled

You are one and the same
In joy and sorrow,
Hope and despair,
Life and death.

You are already fulfilled.

Let yourself dissolve.

-Ashtavakra Gita 5:4

Holiday Feast

Appetizer: Using only 5 words, describe how 2004 went for you.

Changes loom. Everything in transition.

Soup: Name something you did in 2004 that you'll probably never do again.

Search for a tenure-track job. Here's to hoping we love Small Midwest College and the surrounding community.

Salad: What did you learn about yourself in 2004?

I'm a marketable scholar and teacher! Having attended a 2nd-tier graduate program, I had some doubts about finding a job.

Main Course: What notable news event from 2004 will stand out most in your memory?

The re-election of Curious George. The pain! The pain!

Dessert: Name something you purchased in 2004 that you really, really like.

Green Lantern Animated Maquette

Triple Shots

As the end of December approaches and another year winds down, you can count on Gene posting his annual "end of year lists." Rather than stealing his approach entirely, I thought I'd toss out a few of my own 2004 triple shots.

Musical Obsessions
The Muffs--Really, Really Happy
Metric--Old World Underground (a 2003 release that I played almost non-stop in 2004)
theStart--Initiation

Comic Book Favs
Astonishing X-men (Writer: Joss Whedon)
Star Wars: Republic (Clone Wars Era)
Teen Titans

This has been a rotten year for my favorite comics. The Avengers Disassembled (horrible story and relaunch), Iron Man rebooted (again--and the stories still suck), and the Green Lantern monthly (starring Kyle Rayner) ended (Green Lantern: Rebirth looks promising but I'll withold judgment until I see what they do with Kyle).

Films
Garden State
Finding Neverland
Travellers and Magicians

DVDs
Firefly: The Complete Series.
Star Wars: Episodes IV, V, VI
Hero

Cool Moments
New baby on the way.
Job offer from Small Midwest College.
One year anniversary.

Books Read
Citizens of the Empire (Robert Jensen)
Being Made Strange (Bradford Vivian)
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Robert Pirsig)

Television
Angel Finale
Resurgence of Star Trek: Enterprise (Much improved stories this year).
Teen Titans & Justice League Unlimited

Most Overhyped News Story
Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction
The freaking election
The Peterson trial

And The Winner Is . . .

Small Midwest College. After soliciting the opinion of almost everyone we know, STK and I have decided to accept the job offer from Small Midwest College. Surprisingly, the vast majority of opinions focused on the positives of the move. In fact, the only thing that gave anyone serious pause was the fact that we'll be moving to a much smaller community. Moving from the Denver metro area to a community of 10,000 will definitely be an adjustment. Our friends and family expressed some sadness at the prospect of seeing us leave the metro area; my mother, in typical fashion, started to cry. Leaving our friends and family behind will no doubt be one of the scariest parts of the move. That said, the actual professor position is perfect for me, the politics of the area is a vast improvement over Colorado, and the community is a much safer place to raise a child.

Tomorrow AM, I'm going to call my new department Chair and let her know I'll be contacting the Dean with my decision.

And so a new chapter begins.

Mulling it Over

More on the tenure track offer. As I stated in my earlier post the salary/benefits package is very competitive, the teaching load is reasonable (3/3), and the publication expectations are doable. I also talked with the Chair and the department is offering a teaching schedule that's right up my alley. The department wants to me to teach Public Address, Rhetoric and Popular Culture (my area of specialization), and a third course of my own design. If I accept the position, I'll be replacing a faculty member who was at Small Midwest College for 30+ years. His area of specialization is communication and linguistics; as he's the only faculty member in that area, all linguistics courses will be removed from the curriculum. With the linguistics courses gone, the department needs four new courses to fill the gaps and I've been offered one of the four.

While the acacemic side of the equation seems like a "no brainer," we're a little hestitant about making the move to a smaller community. We've become very accustomed to an urban way of life. A move to Small Midwest Town (SMT) means no more art house cinema, alternative club scene, or Museum of Contemporary Art (within 15 minutes, at least). All of those activities now become a day trip rather than an afternoon or evening excursion. All that said, raising a child in SMT does have a certain appeal--I have very fond memories of my small town upbringing. The fact that I have quite a bit of extended family within 3 hours of SMT also makes the move more attractive.

So, we have a big decision to make. The school wants an answer no later than December 29th. We tried to catch a quick flight out to Minneapolis (STK's father is a retired United pilot and offered a couple buddy passes for the trip) so STK could visit SMT, but all the flights are booked through the holidays. STK says we should definitely accept the offer, one of my long-term academic mentors says take the offer, and all my graduate school colleagues think I should jump on the offer. My dissertation advisor thinks I should hold out for a more prestigious school, but said he would support any decision. If I take the offer, he asked that I commit to a publishing schedule that would make me competitive for a position at a larger school. His thinking is that if we get to SMC and decide it's not for us, I'll still be marketable in the broader academic community. That's good advice, I think.

Of everyone involved, I think I'm the one that's being the most indecisive. My major issue is asking STK to walk away from her career. Unfortunately, art positions tend to be few and far between. I'm concerned we'll get out there and she won't be able to find work. The income isn't too much of an issue--we could make it on my salary, if need be. The greater issue is the fact that STK wants to continue her teaching career. She has a lot more faith than I and continually says, "Something will become available. If this is where we're supposed to be, the universe will present opportunities." Yikes.

Though we're leaning toward accepting the position, we'll mull it over right up to the deadline.

Everything Comes to Pass

Everything comes to pass, nothing comes to stay.

-Matthew Flickstein, "Journey To The Center"

Fark-o-rama

The Farkers are at it, again. Check out the photoshops of Dr Seuss covers related to current events. Hysterical.

The Cat in the Chat.

The Nighmare Before Christmas

Your Christmas is Most Like: The Nightmare Before Christmas

Christmas was not a big deal for you growing up... And you're still trying to figure out what it all means.

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Decisions, Decisions

At 9:25 AM, the Dean of Small Midwest College called and offered me a tenure track position within the Department of Communication Studies. The salary and benefits are competitive, the teaching load is reasonable, and the publication expectations are doable. So, STK and I have some decisions to make. More on this later.

We Gotta Get Out of This Place

I know I've mentioned Colorado's higher education woes on numerous occasions. An article in one of the local papers spells out the crisis VERY clearly:

State's Colleges Decry Finances.

Some high points of the article include:

1. Students begging to get into classes (that happens to me constantly).
2. $700,000 million in cuts over the last three years.
3. Proposed tuition jumps ranging from 13% to 21%.
4. 80 faculty positions unfilled despite a 20% increase in enrollment. Do the math.

The state of Colorado is presently 48th in terms of higher education spending per $1000 of state personal income. Pathetic.

So, I'm restarting the job application machine. Although I have two possibilities on the horizon (still no word from Small Midwest College--STK thinks I'll get an offer, I have an odd feeling that I won't), it's time to try and make more contacts. Three more applications will go out by the end of the month.

The Questing Feast

Appetizer: What is something that never fails to grab your attention?

Liquor and cigarettes. I may no longer do either, but I'm ALWAYS aware of when either is around.

Soup: Who was the last person who gave you money, and what was it for?

I received an airfare reimbursement check from Small Midwestern College.

Salad: If you were a Smurf, what would your name be?

Ardent Smurf. And I'd refuse to be blue. I'd make myself a nice green.

Main Course: Do you believe in astrology? Why or why not?

Who knows. Some people seem to think it works for them. Who am I to question their beliefs? Personally, I believe I'm in control of my own destiny. The thought of life events being the result of my Pisces Sun sign resting in the 3rd house of Jupiter's eighth moon, Callisto, doesn't sit well with me.

Dessert: Have you seen any snow this year yet? What's the weather like today in your area?

In typical Colorado fashion, we've seen the usual snow-today-gone-tomorrow thing a couple of times. Today's weather: sunny and 50 (close to 60 tomorrow).

Grading, Grading, Grading, Keep That Adjunct Grading.

Since Saturday, December 3, I've graded 40 journals, 180 final projects, and 180 final exams. The exams were all graded between Monday and today. Oh, and I also managed to calculate 180 final grades this week. Although final grades aren't officially due until Tuesday morning, I submitted mine this afternoon. As such, I'm officially on break! ::cue Alice Cooper and "Schools Out . . ."::

What's up for the break? While I'd like to keep the agenda wide open, I suspect I'll be more busy than I'd like. I know the 24th and 25th will be tied up with family stuff; two days is WELL beyond my normal four hour limit of contiguous family time. How did I get duped into that? Speaking of the holidays, I still have shopping to finish. I'll hit the stores on Monday morning and hope most people will be at work. Any shopping center should be declared officially off limits this weekend. Other than the family stuff and shopping, I don't have anything definite planned. We might take a quick, three day trip, but that's contingent on an offer from Small Midwest College. If I don't hear anything by Wednesday, it's probably safe to assume I wasn't their first choice.

Intelligence

Your Dominant Intelligence is Linguistic Intelligence

You are excellent with words and language. You explain yourself well. An elegant speaker, you can converse well with anyone on the fly. You are also good at remembering information and convicing someone of your point of view. A master of creative phrasing and unique words, you enjoy expanding your vocabulary. You would make a fantastic poet, journalist, writer, teacher, lawyer, politician, or translator.

What Kind of Intelligence Do You Have?

One Down, One to Go, Another Town and One More Show

Two days into finals week and I already have 99 exams graded and 99 final grades assigned. I'll receive another 40 exams on Thursday. Right after the exam, I'll retire to my office; the exams will be graded and final grades will be assigned. Repeat on Friday. Barring a catastrophy, I should have all my final grades assigned by 5 PM Friday. You know what that means, right? My break starts this weekend. Woohoo!

If I'm to receive an offer, I should hear something from Small Midwest College in the next week. If I understand the timeline correctly, the search committee should meet tomorrow and make a recommendation to the Dean. Once the Dean gives the stamp of approval, the offer gets made. I could hear something as early as tomorrow or as late as never (for those keeping score, that would mean I didn't get the job). Oddly enough, I received informal word today that I'm also a finalist for the position at Much Larger Southern University. I'll receive a formal campus visit invitation sometime in January. As most schools are wrapping up their Fall semester, informal word is often passed along this time of year (informal means the Search Committee hasn't had a formal meeting and filled out the appropriate paperwork). Schools like to give candidates a heads up in case there are other schools sending invites, making ofers, etc. If I'm offered the position at Small Midwest College, STK and I will be in something of a dilemna. Do we take the position at Small Midwest College or hold out for Much Larger Southern University? Additionally, I have a half dozen other applications that were due in December. Big decisions could be facing us in the next couple weeks. If Small Midwest College doesn't make an offer, there's obviously no dilemna.

These are the things that keep me up late at night. Is there a better example of an instance where I stress out about things that might not even come to pass? Fie upon it! About my brain!

Fog of War played on the Encore: True Stories channel tonight. I stumbled on the film quite by accident just as it started. McNamara provides fascinating insight into a turbulent time of U.S. American history. By the end of the film, you get the idea he has a great many regrets. For instance, in 1963 he recommended the U.S. get out of Vietnam; JFK felt otherwise. When Johnson took office, the rift between the President and the Secretary of Defense widened even further. McNamara says he felt obligated to carry out the President's wishes regardless of his personal opinion and belief.

STK and I are catching a screening of Un long dimanche de fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement) tonight. We love the director and the lead actress. I heard a review on NPR over the weekend that said the film is outstanding.

Diversity

Diversity is both beautiful and necessary.

--The Dalai Lama

You're Kidding, Right?

Finals begin today and I've managed to catch a nasty cold. Achoo! ::blows nose:: A couple students emailed me and asked that I send them lecture notes for days they missed class. Let me think about that for a moment ::ponders for a nanosecond:: No. As the syllabus clearly states, I'm not responsible for your absences; missing out on course lecture and discussion is the consequence for choosing to skip class. Here's a thought: borrow the notes from one of your colleagues rather than emailing your instructor. If you had your act together and checked your notes last week, you wouldn't be pleading for help in the wee hours of the morning before a test.