Wednesday, October 31, 2007

I'm getting old. This becomes more apparent everyday, but it really sticks out when it comes to sitting in class with 18 and 19 year olds. They all bring their laptops and cell phones and rarely pay attention to the instructor. Tonite for example, I watched people playing on myspace and facebook, playing video games, watching sports and texting. Even the people who actually use their lap tops for note taking are at a disadvantage in a class where we have to draw diagrams of rock sequence layers. When I was younger, it was enough for me to just sit in class, but I had to be actively listening to retain anything. How do these kids learn anything? Now that I'm twice the age of the average freshman, I need to take notes, very thorough, detailed notes. So, either age is catching up with me, or these 18 and 19 year olds are going to fail geology.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Stayed home from work today. I still feel miserable. Hopefully tomorrow I won't be so loopy from a stuffy head and cold medicine that I'll actually be able to write something of substance.

Monday, October 29, 2007

Saturday, October 27, 2007

What would you do?

I went to Kroger to get my prescription filled and to pick up some supplies for a weekend of unhealthiness. I took my purchases to the pharmacy to pick up the prescription. As the pharmacist is scanning my items, she gets distracted and forgets to charge me for the drugs. I realize this once I get to the car and look over my receipt. My question is, if this happened to you, what would you do?

2 completely unrelated questions

Why do doctors prescribe antibiotics for viral infections?

If John Lennon were a young musician today, what kind of music would he play?

Friday, October 26, 2007

sick. frustrated. and wondering why the Fabulous Johnson Brothers are telling everyone they are on the Next Great American Band when they actually aren't.

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Because I goofed off and forgot to post, you only get a video today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDSGmx8c2AM

It's starts off slow, but keep watching for the Ninjas!

Sometime this weekend, I'll actually write something.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

I survived Wednesday! Yea! I'm so ready for the weekend!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Work. Choir practice. Still writing paper.

Damn, I meant to send The Critic a link before I left work and forgot, so I'll just post it here.

Monday, October 22, 2007

Busy weekend. Long day. Paper to write.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

There will be no blogging this weekend, as I will be out of town.

I just realized that I forgot to do a lesson plan for the sub at religious school this weekend. I guess I should go work on that. Until Monday...

Potter Puppet Pals in

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Midterms

I had this great stream of consciousness thing going while driving today, which I had hoped to transcribe, but my overwhelming need to study for my geology midterm has limited my computer time tonite. Must do better on this test than the last, which isn't hard to do considering the last test score. I haven't done that badly on a test since the 4th grade! Anyway, must go, the geologic features of the volcanic national parks are waiting.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Single White Jewish Female looking for...

Last Friday, I clicked on the you tube link The Critic sent me about Ann Coulter. While watching the video, I noticed in the related videos window a link to a clip of the Henry Rollins Show. I didn't know Henry Rollins had a show. I haven't really thought much about Henry Rollins since the early 90s, but, curious, I clicked on the link, which lead to another link, and another, and so on. The Henry Rollins I saw in those video clips was not the angry front man of Black Flag. This guy was articulate and funny, even almost vulnerable. I'm sure he's still the belligerent, arrogant bastard I thought he was back then, but that hasn't stopped me from developing a little attraction to the man. In one of the videos, he talked about a list of questions men ask women when they are first getting to know one another (top 3 records, top 5 foreign films, etc.). I thought I'd go ahead and answer those questions here, to save some time later. You know, for when I meet Henry Rollins and he asks me on a date (I'm a dreamer, what can I say :)

Top 3 records? My question is, by records, do you mean singles or albums? Since you did ask in the video the 3 discs in my changer, I'll reply with the last 3 discs I've listened to (since I don't have a changer). 1. Boys for Pele -- Tori Amos. 2. Mix CD I made for family music exchange (I will be happy to provide a list of songs upon request). 3. Carmen -- Bizet

Top 5 foreign films? I actually only have two favorite foreign films. I have seen more than 2. I went through a period a few years ago when I'd only watch foreign films, but none of them really stuck with me. Since my 2 foreign films are on my list of favorite movies, I'll give you that list, in no particular order. Princess Bride, Amelie, Sense and Sensibility, The Road Home (from China, it is a love story, but it's a beautiful movie), and the A&E Pride and Prejudice. Yeah, so they're all girly movies. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy a good action flick every once in a while.

Currently reading? I'm not one to only read one book at a time, so here are the books I'm currently reading: Love is a mix tape (yes Mr. Critic, I'm still reading it. I read it on my lunch break so it takes longer to read than it would if I just sat down with it), The Critical Edition of the Diary of Ann Frank, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian (yes Henry, it's a children's book. Deal with it!).

So there you are. If any of that piques your interest, feel free to send me an email.

Okay, I feel like I just filled out some online dating survey for a guy who will never read it, but it gave me something to blog about tonite.

To change the subject, I just found out that some friends from high school are going to be on Fox's America's Greatest Band or whatever it's called. They are The Fabulous Johnson Brothers. Check them out this Friday at 8 on Fox. Do I get paid for that?

Sunday, October 14, 2007

thoughts while listening to Tori

I've been writing this in my head for a week, but wasn't really sure I wanted to post it. I decided, however, that whether or not any of you need, or want, to read it, I need to write it. So, here it goes:

Monday night as I was driving home from Cinci after meeting Sherman Alexie, I toyed with the idea of writing a book of my own. After about half an hour of formulating a story in my head, I realized that I am not a writer. First of all, I'm completely incapable of developing a character. I know this because I've tried. Secondly, although I enjoy writing, it is not my passion (to use an Oprah expression). Feeling a little despondent, I asked myself for the millionth time what my passion is. What is it that consumes me so completely that I can see myself happily doing it for the rest of my life? I've never been able to come up with a satisfactory answer to that question in the past, but last Monday night, driving on a country road in the middle of nowhere, the answer came to me. It was so obvious that I had to wonder why it took me so long to figure it out. Judaism. My passion is Judaism.

I've known for a very long time that I've wanted to be a member of the clergy. Even back in my Wicca days, I wanted to be a priestess. I actually considered going to seminary at one point, but thought better of it when I realized I'd have to convert to Christianity. I might've taken the scenic route to Judaism, but it is my cultural and genetic heritage. So, when I started thinking about becoming a rabbi, it made sense to me logically. I am a Jew and I want to be clergy. I never realized that was where my passion lies. But when I finally made the connection, it was a "well, duh!" moment. I can actually justify to myself why I want to do this. It's not just intellectual curiosity. That is part of it. But mostly it's the desire to share my faith, my knowledge and my passion with others.

Friday, October 12, 2007

I found a video clip of the Ann Coulter interview. I can't take anything this woman says seriously. However, there are people out there who are defending her and her comments, and that frightens me.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

I usually run from anything involving Ann Coulter, but this is one interview I wish I'd seen.

I started writing a post last night, but it was really long, and I was very tired, so I didn't post it. I will edit it and try to post it later.

As for my day yesterday...I declared a Jewish studies minor, read children's Aleph-Bet books, scoured the web trying to find Israeli postcards for my 2nd graders (to no avail), and actually worked. I went to class instead of attending the University Orchestra concert, and was rewarded with a lecture on metamorphic rocks. How could a concert featuring the concert master and acclaimed violinist of the Philadelphia Orchestra compare with metamorphic rocks? Who would choose Tchaikovsky over shale? Okay, enough sarcasm. More later...

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

fiddlin' around

I tried to break in the new (very crappy) violin at Temple band practice tonight. I broke the E string while tuning, which prompted another band member to introduce me to the wonders of a chromatic tuner. Although I'd like to relearn the art of tuning by ear, the tuner is definitely something I need to invest in. I could tune my violin, bass and guitar all with one little piece of machinery. Ah, the miracles of modern science.

Monday, October 08, 2007

"The game between the Jews and the Indians

is tied going into the bottom of the ninth inning". For those of who do not know, that is the title of a Sherman Alexie poem. It is one of my all-time favorite poems, by one of my all-time favorite poets. "Why are you telling us this?", you are asking. Because, tonight I got to see Sherman in person at Joseph Beth in Cincinnati. It was the first time I had been to a book signing. I do have other autographed books, Da Chen's Colors of the Mountain being my favorite with hand brushed Chinese calligraphy, but this was the first time I actually got to watch my book being autographed while saying wildly stupid things to the author. I kept trying to remind myself that he is just a person, there's no need to act like an idiot, but I wasn't convincing myself. I practically idolize the man (not as much as a certain High School English teacher I know). He's the reason I started writing poetry, which is the least stupid thing I said to him. So, with autographed book safely in hand, I ran out of the store before my mouth could once again outrun my brain. When I'm done berating myself, I'll remember this as one of the best "entertainment" events I've been to, second only to the first time I saw Tori Amos at the Arnoff in Cinci (where I made the aforementioned English teacher stand around the tour bus for an hour waiting for the smallest glimpse of Tori). If you're not familiar with Sherman's work, I highly recommend you change that. If you like poetry, read The Summer of Black Widows. If you prefer prose, check out The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. If you're not a reader, watch Smoke Signals. There's something for everyone!

A little sidebar about the weekend: There is nothing cooler than a newborn baby. I got to hold a 2 day old little girl, who opened her eyes and looked at me and I thought, "there could be no better experience than this, except holding my own baby, if it ever happens". Then I remembered that the sweet, angelic 2 day old would someday be a demon possessed teenager and I happily have her back to her mother.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Thursday, October 04, 2007

It's yet another day...

It's Thursday. I like Thursday. It's the only day during the week I don't have a commitment after work. Yes, Thursdays are good.

Tonight I came home and decided to do some housework, so I clipped on the ol' ipod and got to work. I listened to Matthew Sweet. I haven't listened to him in ages. My brother met him once in Jackson, and told him, "my sister loves your music". Although that could be taken as a back-handed compliment, he was gracious. But, I didn't get anything out of it except the story. My brother doesn't believe in autographs and such. He tries to avoid looking star-struck. However, he fawned all over Billy Corgan when he met him. Anyway...I really enjoyed listening to Matthew Sweet tonight. I might technically be a child of the 80's, but 90's music resonates more with me.

I'm currently reading Love is a mix tape. I highly recommend it.

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Another day

Geesh, this posting everyday is hard. It was an average, unexciting day, punctuated by bouts of unhealthiness. The headache is mostly gone and now I'm ready for sleep. I'm really trying to think of something more exciting, but that's all I've got. Goodnight!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

This gives new meaning to a sweet new year. Who needs apples and honey when they can eat the sukkah?

Monday, October 01, 2007

October 1

Highlights of my day:

1) I hit a high D in voice class today. It wasn't pretty, but I did it.

2) I finally grasped the concept of geological hot spots and plate tectonics. Maybe I'll actually get a passing grade on the next test!