Jump to content
UNRV Ancient Roman Empire Forums

docoflove1974

Patricii
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,023

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by docoflove1974

  1. docoflove1974

    Lazy days

    By docoflove1974,

    What a feeling...I would have slept in, save for the 10 pound roaring lioness sitting on my chest at 7:05am, wanting to know why I hadn't gotten up 5 minutes earlier like usual (I swear, I need to train Bella on the concept of sleeping in...). But I really had nothing to do today. I finished all of the planning for my Tues/Thurs course, and the other set of courses is all planned--now I just need the contract and other paperwork to get into the system, which would allow me to upload everything and finish some loose ends. Nothing left to do with research; well, that's not entirely true, but I have decided to take a quick break, typical for the very beginning of a semester, and I'll pick it up again in a couple of weeks.
     
    More importantly, I was exhausted. I needed a do-nothing day. A lazy day. And by Jove, I got one!
     
    Started off with a hearty breakfast (God, I love oatmeal), and off to the gym. Since it's only a mile away, I tend to walk there unless I have errands to do later. Did a good workout, and then came home to shower. My brother had brought his car in to the shop earlier, and so 11:30ish I dropped him off to the shop to pick it up. On the way home, I farted around in the local small market--stocked up on fruit (the strawberries right now are pure sugar!) and got a deli sammie (or sarnie, or whatever you're gonna call it) for lunch. Came home, ate, and promptly passed out on the living room floor with Bella, both of us with stomachs full of mesquite-roasted turkey (ok, she only had a nibble...I had the rest).
     
    After a couple of cat naps, I logged onto the computer for a short time, and then started watching my favorite afternoon shows. Oh, and steamed up some artichokes for later. My brother decided he was cooking dinner tonight, so I didn't even have to cook. After a plateful of gnocchi in ragu and a salad, I'm here again, content and full. Relaxed. The only thing keeping me away from alcohol today (and this evening) is the next couple of days...I'll need every ounce of energy tomorrow, and Friday's gonna be busy, too.
     
    Man...this must be what it's like to be rich and have nothing to do!!!
  2. docoflove1974

    A banner day

    By docoflove1974,

    Well, folks, the word of this week has been: culmination. I uploaded my finalized dissertation to UMI, which is the publisher that UT (and many, many other universities) uses, and it's currently under review. I mailed my final papers to the Grad School, and they were received today. All that's left is for them to finalize everything, bill me for my processing fee...and that's it.
     
    I woke up this morning, and i felt...calm. In my mind, when I pay that final fee, then I'll be really done, but essentially I'm done. Finished. Graduated.
     
    This fall is the first time since the age of 5 that I won't be a student at a school. For those that are counting, that's 27 years.
     
    In essence, this dissertation is the culmination of 8 years of PhD work at UT. In turn, the questions that I attempted to answer (and which, in reality, have only lead to a whole host of other questions) started in my 6 years of BA and MA work at UC Davis. So, really, the dissertation represents a culmination of 14 years of collegiate/post-secondary work.
     
    I feel...lighter...calmer...but not really any different. Am I supposed to?
     
    By the way...I'm not the only one who finished their PhD
  3. docoflove1974
    There are aspects to summer that everyone can count on. The sweet smell of blooms in the garden. The salty air experienced on a vacation at the coast. Watching lightning bugs flicker in the evening darkness.
     
    For me...I can count on the fact that I'm not just mosquito fodder, but I'm a gormet meal.
     
    Well, I must be...it doesn't matter what I do, I'm bitten. I've yet to find a product, either natural or chemical, which keeps the suckers off of me. I've been offered all sorts of remedies--clothing, balms, sprays, types of food or vitamins--which are all supposed to keep the bothersome bugs at bay. Nothing works. They find ways to eat me alive. There's one sure thing that works: stay indoors at dawn and dusk. This doesn't always work...sometimes, a girl's gotta go!
     
    Case in point: I teach from 3-5 and 6-8pm, and during that break between 5-6pm, I eat dinner and 'use the facilities' on campus. Yep, at dusk...but I don't have a choice! This campus is, well, oddly laid out; many buildings don't have restrooms, but there are glorified outhouses--buildings that are only restrooms--sprinkled all over campus. (No, this is not typical for a college campus.) Around campus there are several redwood trees, which are famous for attracting mosquitos.
     
    So, Monday at break I went to the glorified outhouse...and was the proud recipient of 'love bites' on my forehead and chin. Yes, they do bite people on the face. Tuesday there were two 'tokens of affection' on my left shoudler. Yes, they went through my shirt sleeve and bit me. Yesterday I received another 'token of affection': on my neck, right along my trachea!!!
     
    When I used to live in Texas, all I would have to do is go outside for 20 minutes, and I'd come back inside with 15-30 bites all over me. It's like I'm a 7 course meal complete with fois gras, caviar, filet mignon, lobster, and a few Bordeaux all rolled into one.
     
    As for itch-relief, I can say that Benadryl maximum-strength gel works decently...and doesn't stink to high Heaven. I'm still looking for a better remedy; the spray isn't as good, I'll tell you that.
     
    Now I'm wondering how and where they're gonna get me tonight. Ah, yes, the special feelings *scratch scratch* of summer!
  4. docoflove1974
    I've come to a realization in life.
     
    Well, more than one, but this is just the latest.
     
    I can multitask very well--indeed, I have all my life. Working in a kitchen, I can have 3 pots going at once and know what's going on. I can even carry on a coversation while doing it. I sing along to whatever music I have filling my domicile while I work in the kitchen or in the garden. In fact, even if there is no electronic device playing music, the music in my head is playing, and I'm singing along while I'm working.
     
    One thing I don't do well: eat and work at the same time. Oh, I can do it...and then usually end up making a mess.
     
    It never fails...this morning, I was checking email whilst munching on my Honey-Nut Cheerios and strawberries (which, btw, our local stawberries are outstanding this year!) and slurping the milk in the bowl...and proceed to knock over the spoon resting in the bowl...thus tossing little oat Os and milk on the table. No, nothing was ruined, or even mildly damaged, but once again I've proven to myself that eating and working don't mix.
     
    So I've decided to never do it again. I need to just sit back, enjoy whatever meal I have (even if it's just a bit of a sammie or a bowl of ice cream) and not worry about work. Or, I can think, perhaps jot down a memo...but no typing, no major reading/writing/editing.
     
    Besides, they say that eating and working is bad for digestion, that we eat too fast and too much if we're distracted. Enjoying our meal is supposed to be just that--joyful--which means talking is good, laughing is better, but working is not good.
     
    Procrastinator moi, that appeals to me quite nicely!
  5. docoflove1974
    I want this on record: I have the coolest students ever.
     
    My Intermediate Spanish class is a unique group. 60% of them are over the age of 50, and are taking this to better their knowledge...no requirements here. The rest are a mix of college-aged and teenaged students, taking the course for credit towards their school or degree. They all knew, like their colleagues in my other classes, that I was gone last week for my dissertation defense. But this class was different.
     
    First, they bombarded me with emails, letting me know that they wished me well, and that they were rooting for me...and that I had better let them know how things turned out. Of course I emailed them with the good news.
     
    Today's class was the first one 'back'...and they had a surprise for me. They all brought out bubbles, and blew bubbles in my honor. They had all signed a card for me. And finally, because I had stated that I was now a PhD, KIA (Know-It-All), they siad that there might be times where I'd be tired of flapping my gums...so they gave me a pair of wind-up chattering teeth!
     
    Honestly, I was absolutely speechless...such a great sense of humor, great level of respect and comraderie. It gives me goosebumps! I'm still speechless!
     
    Earlier this semester I had decided that on the last day I would do a surprise for them...this sealed it. I'm not 100% sure of what I'll do, but guaranteed there will be something in their honor. They have all enriched my lives in a way that no set of students has before...which is saying something, as I have had one great crop of students after another in every institution that I've taught at. But this is even more than what I expected...a true group of friends.
  6. docoflove1974

    D-Day

    By docoflove1974,

    Dun dun dun dun DUN dundun dundun dundun....
     
    In about 90 minutes, I'll start my dissertation defense. So why am I on a computer, you ask? Because I had to print out stuff, and since I have time to kill, I decided to spend it doing something, rather than waiting around nervously.
     
    Oh, I won't be on here long. But it's weird. I'm jittery...not a lot, but a little. Nerves of steel had better show up quick...
     
    Update at 11...or this afternoon, whatever.
  7. docoflove1974
    I often count my blessings, noting that I've been smiled upon by Whoever Up There for the opportunities that I've had, and hopefully will continue to have. This year, 2007, is a huge year for me and my family, for so many reasons.
    This year I will finish my dissertation, and get some kind of full-time job;
    My parents are about to move, having sold their house of 30 years and have bought a brand-new house in a new development;
    My youngest brother, having finished another set of travels, seems to want to settle down here (for now);
    My middle brother is attempting to buy a condo in his complex, and looks like he might do it.

    But these are not the only reasons:
    This marks 100 years since the birth of my paternal grandmother (although she passed away in 1975);
    This marks 100 years since 3 of my maternal great-grandparents emigrated here from Milan and Genoa (my grandmother's mother came in 1910).
    My 4 great-grandparents came here with very little education in Italy--maybe to the 2nd or 3rd grade, enough to scribble their name and do basic math; their children all had a high-school education, and in the case of my grandmother and her sister, went onto a business (e.g. secretaries) college. My grandfather and his brothers were all business owners and professionals. Of their 5 great-grandchildren, 3 have college degrees, and one is about to finish a PhD.
     
    But that's nothing.
     
    My paternal grandparents came from Indian Territory--no doubt they have Indian blood in them, although documentation is negligible at best--and were quite poor. My grandmother had an 8th grade education--unheard of at that time, and it would have allowed her to teach at a school. My grandfather only got through the 2nd grade...was illiterate, and couldn't really do much beyond very rudimentary math. He couldn't even sign his name. Their granddaughter is about to finish a PhD.
     
    I am truly humbled, even emotional, when I reflect upon that. My dad said I should mention it at my defense...I might. It'll definitely be in the forward of the dissertation. My roots are not exactly blue, but we as a people have fought to get the best that we could. Inside of 3 generations, we've gone from illiterate to highly educated. It's not just pride that I feel...it's honor.
  8. docoflove1974
    2 May 2007. 12noon CDT. That'll be the judgement day.
     
    No, not the one with the pearly gates, and some Peter-man standing there with his list. Instead I speak of the day when my professors decide if I'm worthy enough to stand with them as a colleague.
     
    The 'final' draft will be sent out Tuesday; one month after that I will be in front of my academic setting, answering questions that I've prepared for, as well as others that I haven't.
     
    This is it! I'm geeked for this...I want this so bad, I can taste it. I've worked so hard, and I really hope that everything goes as planned, and that I'm accepted.
     
    So, wish me luck!
  9. docoflove1974
    Boxes...they're everywhere.
     
    Here...there...everywhere.
     
    Empty boxes, waiting to be filled with all sorts of momentos and knick-knacks.
     
    Partially-filled boxes, waiting to be completed, marked, and taped.
     
    Full boxes, bursting at the seems, ready to be shipped off to their new, albeit temporary home.
     
    Now I can't find a blessed thing, for all of these boxes are surrounding me!
  10. docoflove1974
    Ever since my third year of college, with all of my classes being upper division in type, and with many academic writings to peruse, I have clamored for retraining of academians. And again I renew my plea.
     
    When I become Ruler of the World, every academian will take writing courses (in the language or languages in which they publish) approximately every 5 years. In these courses, the 'students' will re-learn and refresh themselves on the proper writing styles of their genre. The first course, which is mandatory and must be passed with at least an 80%, is on clarity of writing style.
     
    Christ Almighty, some people just can't write worth a hill of beans. It seems as if they bypassed the editory panel completely, and went from 'draft' to 'published product' in one fail swoop.
     
    In the past week and a half I've been reviewing my notes and articles/chapters on Functionalism (in linguistics, naturally) in order to gear up to write this next chapter. There were several items which I had to re-read at least 3-4 times, simply because I couldn't understand what the person was aiming for. How many times can you contradict yourself in one paragraph? Really, it seemed like there was a competition between two writers. I won't divulge any names (you never know who's reading your column ), but there are many who need this course...and badly.
     
    The other course, which will be mandatory for any academian (professor or lecturer) who teaches is a refresher course of teaching and presenting. Like its writing counterpart, each 'student' will have to renew their training approximately every 5 years, and will have to pass with at least 80%. Unlike the writing course, this other course will be multi-lateral: part methodology, part diction, and part speech/presentation skills. Seriously, I know that professors at Research I universities are hired because of their research and not for their teaching...but if you can't understand what the bloody hell the instructor is saying, or what they wish to say, or even what they plan on placing on the test...how are you expected to pass a course, let alone retain any information in the future?
     
    Ok, back to writing.
  11. docoflove1974
    Wanted: 3 more hours in the day
     
    Job description: I need 3 more hours per day in order to finish all of the work that I need to do. In those said 3 hours I need to do a combination of any of the following activities:
    ** sleep and/or rest
    ** eat
    ** grade papers
    ** finish editing
    ** play with Bella the Feline
    ** have a pot of tea
    ** go out into the garden and play in the dirt
    ** take a walk
    ** go for a swim
     
    Compensation: Getting more things done in the day.
     
    Any takers? Anyone? Bueler?
  12. docoflove1974
    Today I have been at a 4-year public university, having a second interview for an Assistant Professor position. I'm not tired; I'm not fatigued. I'm...wilted. Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you the schedule for the day. Note that I got **location censured to protect my chances** yesterday afternoon, and rested up well last night.
     
    7:30am--picked up by the department chair
    8:00am--meeting with dean--all talk by her, whilst I sat and nodded and listened
    9:00am--meeting with selection committee, which is 5 professors
    10:00am--walking tour of campus with the department chair
    11:00am--coffee with department chair
    12:00pm--lunch with 2 members of the department, one of which teaches the class that I'll be guest teaching
    2:00pm--guest teach a course
    4:00pm--research talk
    5:30pm--dinner
     
    I'm not drained...but I'm brain dead. I'm not drained, but I'm showered, in my jammies, and in bed, relaxing. I'm ready to sleep in tomorrow (well, to 8am, anyway), and ready to get going for the next interview next week.
     
    On the other hand, I know how to finish my dissertation, and to get it in on-time. I know what to do now...well, I always knew what to do, but I now am even more focused than before. Let's hope there's at least one job offer from all of this!
  13. docoflove1974

    The famous Ramos

    By docoflove1974,

    Lost Warrior's comment about holiday traditions got me thinking about one in my family: Ramos Fizzes. Depending on who you believe, it was created in New Orleans (by some bartender named Ramos) or in San Francisco (prolly not true, but I'm sticking by this version out of sheer regional pride--and, yes, I truly believe that the martini was created in a bar in Martinez, California...screw NYC). Certainly the recipe in our family is a version of the ones more commonly known...the use of Peychaud's bitters along with lime juice is key in ours. Also, a ton of good gin--well, ok, that's my dad and I, since the bartenders in my family tend to not care as long as the bottle says "gin". Either way, it'll definitely put the Merry in your Christmas...and knock you on your a$$ at the same time.
     
    And now, at 9:35am PST on 22 Dec, I give you the Petrucci Ramoz (note the spelling!) Fizz:
    1/2 blender cracked ice
    3 egg whites
    3 tablespoons superfine sugar
    1 lime, juiced
    3 jiggers half-and-half (the diary kind, mind you)
    5 jiggers gin (make it good, please)
    3/4 of an eyedropper of bitters (Peychauds, please) and orange flower water
     
    Blend together, then add about 1 jigger of lemon-lime soda or club soda. Blend quick, and *hiccup* enjoy!
  14. docoflove1974
    4 May 2007. That's the defense date. From now until the end of March, I'll be using any time I have that's not spent in the classroom or on the retail floor probably in the library, working furiously to finish my dissertation in full. The pre-defense went well--many comments, mostly that I need to focus more on my topic (I'm too talkative and vague...go figure lol), but my committee gave me very specific details as to how to hone this. But, overall, they liked what I had written so far...and that's the best news of all. So, from now until 30 March, I'll be busy busy busy, reading, analyzing and writing, and will get this whole thing done. There is a light--it's real, not a mirage--and it's at the end of the tunnel. I'm almost there.
     
    And if you can spare an extra brain cell or two for me, I would be very appreciative; I'll be burning my furiously. You will be rewarded with my eternal grattitude.
  15. docoflove1974

    No Need For A/c...

    By docoflove1974,

    ...cuz I'll be working with the coooooooooool people...IN NORDIES!!!
     
    Yep, you saw that right...I'm the newest member of the sales team at the local Nordstrom's. Women's active wear. Lots of workout gear, lounge suits, and general clothing for women who wish to look posh as they perspire/glow. I see commission checks rolling in!
     
    But first: 3 full days of training...but, hey, that's why they're good...the sales staff are well trained!
  16. docoflove1974

    Customer Service!

    By docoflove1974,

    I decided that, due to my relative endpoint in my dissertation process, I could afford time to work a part-time job in the department stores around here during the Holiday Rush...meaning I'd make meager wages, but quite a few hours, and would get the nice employee discount.
     
    Now, just as a background: I'm the daughter of a very successful salesman, and I can schmooze with the best. I know how to work a crowd, juggle stuff, and take care of business. I've done 'hotel front desk' types of jobs before, and I know how to play the customer service game. It's pretty fun, and quite easy. As a result, I've turned my academic life into one full of customer service techniques. Meaning: I have a commodity (knowledge), and customers (students), and my job is to give them as much of the commodity as I can in a manner that they want. Ok, so there are plenty of rules and regulations that go along with this, so it's not like I'm trying to get Madame to shell out $100 for a stupid sweater, but you get the drift.
     
    So in the past 2 weeks, I applied to the 4 main department stores in the local mall, and have gotten interviews with all 4. As soon as I get a 'better' job--'better' would be at a higher-end store--I cancel my positions at the other ones. Fun, no?
     
    Oh, and I get paid for training. So, for example, I have training starting for my #2 pick tomorrow, and I don't have an interview for the #1 pick until Thursday...so I'll get to go through a day of training, perhaps two, and potentially quit if I get a better job at the #1 pick. Hah! I love this!
  17. docoflove1974
    Today I printed off the dissertation. All 150 pages of it. Oh, there's plenty left, since this is the first time that my committee will have the entire work at their disposal. And I've done quite a bit of re-arranging of previous work, to go along with more editing than I care to do. This is all in anticipation of a 'meeting of the minds' for the first week of November, when I must fly back to Austin. I'm mentally exhausted.
     
    But, oh, wait! In the last month, I've put off so many chores, so this month that I have in the interim is going to be full. I'm about to be evaluated at work, so I have to get my portfolio together; that doesn't take long, but it's getting in the way. Gotta prep for the spring courses, as well as find additional part time work to pick up the slack. Gotta earn money on the side, since I'll be moving out in a few months. Oh, and look for full-time employment for the fall! Yeah, just a few things on the to-do list!
     
    So, due to my cranial fatigue, reading Don Tomato's longwinded canticle of ne'erdowell actions, I'm bushed. Can someone give me the Cliff's Notes version?
  18. docoflove1974
    Sausalito--or 'The Land of the Little Willows' as the Spaniards called it--lies just on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. For the past 54 years they have an arts and crafts festival that rivals any other, with middle-to-very-high end pottery, jewelry, paintings, photography, and the like (yes, and the prices to match).
     
    This year, my parents and I went to it, just to see what we could see. Gesu Maria...wow...I mean, some really great stuff, that took our breath away. There was this jade and fresh-water pearl pendant and earring set that was gorgeous...just simply gorgeous. Sand-blasted vases that were in beautiful designs. Abstract-ish paintings with 3-d presentations that stood out from EVERYTHING. We were in love with many pieces, yet came home without any tokens--it's amazing the prices that they were charging. But, it was an outstanding day...and lead to us eating at Caesar's.
     
    Every family has their 'traditions', and for our family it's no different. Back in the day, as the kids say, my maternal grandfather ran the bar at Bimbo's, a San Francisco institution since Prohibition. In 1954, the Bimbo's owners wanted to move to another location (on Kearny, if I recall), and so they did...and in 1956, Caesar's restaurant opened. And we've been going ever since. My grandfather moved to the Villa d'Este (on Ocean, for those who know SF), but we continued to go ever since. It's the place where we go on very special occasions--well, let me rephrase, because I swear my brother Matt's up there once every couple of weeks. The main bartender now, Tony, had an uncle who used to tend bar for my great uncle (my grandfather's brother); Uncle Ning ran the Philosopher's Club in West Portal for 42 years. Small bleeping world. My parents, my brother Matt and I sat at the bar for like an hour, bs'ing with Tony and such, reminiscing about Ning/Angelo (in the family we called him 'Ning', which meant 'baby' in our Genovese dialect, but everyone else knew him as 'Angelo' or 'Ang'). I miss that man terribly...and I think we all did in that bar tonight.
     
    Caesar's is typical Northern Italian food--most of SF Italian food is either Genovese/Northern based or Tuscan based, since that was the population of North Beach until the 1930s--with a specialty in seafood. Their 7-course meal is too much food for us normally, but we still ordered the antipasto to go with our a la carte meal (which is still pasta, entree, and coffee). Madonna, Madonna, Madonna...I forgot how damn good it was. It's typical for what I would call 'Genovese' antipasto, but maybe it's just what I grew up with: marinated peppers, marinated butter beans, some mortadella or salame, ceci and kidney beans, antipasto misto (which is a few veggies in a tomato 'marinade'), celery hearts, olives. We hadn't had this in YEARS...like, June of 2000...and we gobbled it up. I swear, nothing reminds me of home, nothing is comfort food, like antipasto. It was followed by a small plate of rigatoni rigate with a bit of bolognese, just enough to satisfy. My parents had the combo seafood platter--filet of sole, prawns, and bay scallops--while I had the grilled orange roughy; Matt couldn't stray from his 'usual', veal parmiggiano.
     
    Oh, and we downed a bottle of zin (not my favorite, but Matt brought it, so who am I got argue?), on top of the glass of wine we had together at the wine bar on Chestnut (California Wine Merchants in Cow Hollow, for those who know SF), and the very strong drink we had at Caesar's bar. I dare say, I feel very warm right now...both from the alcomahol and the great day. And I do mean great day. This is what family is about: sharing experiences together, enjoying a most wonderful meal together, and bullsh*tting each other for the entire night.
  19. docoflove1974
    From time to time, I must recall certain factoids about life which are necessary to get through the day...or in order to keep my momentary sanity.
     
    --There are more fools and ignorami in the world than you realize, and they are both scary. A fool is aware of his eejit-ness, and tries to cover it up; an ignoramus is blissfully unaware of his quality, and usually possesses a modicum of common sense.
     
    --Follow-up #1: common sense ain't exactly all that common...and it's too bad it can't be made a mandatory part of the education of our youth.
     
    --Many people really love to heap on the abuse to their underlings--the same abuse that they received when they were someone's underling. It isn't fair, but it's life...so f'ing deal with it.
     
    --Follow-up #2: Dealing with it is usually a mix of exercise, talking to 'outsiders', and a Pertimaxus or 4.
     
    --Pets, particularly dogs and cats, are so understanding and loving, and they really are part of what helps us to deal with the crap in our lives.
     
    --Follow-up #3: Vet bills really need to be regulated. Seriously. 'Gloucosamine' for cats is 5x the price of what I buy at Costco.
  20. docoflove1974

    50 Lubs

    By docoflove1974,

    Lubs, by the way, are what many 'round here jokingly refer to as pounds...since we wish to somehow pronounce 'lbs'. Anyway...at yesterday's weigh-in, it was 50 lost since 1 June 2006! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! :punk:
  21. docoflove1974
    For those of you who are knowledgeable in the art of writing long tomes...you'll agree with me (I think) that editing is worse than writing.
     
    When one writes, you are creating your thoughts as you go along. Sure, you have an outline of some kind, and you're following along with your sources close by--in my case, already summarized in its own Word document, so that cut/paste is easy. But it's still flowing out of your head, through your fingers, and onto the screen in front of you. There's a creative process that is awesome; I will go a full 18 hours just of writing, if the Muses so desire. Certainly I get in a groove of a few days where it all comes flowing out, and it's pretty cool.
     
    Editing..ugh. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, and with a dissertation advisor who is 1) picky; and 2) a perfectionist in her own right, well, I'm almost scared to let a chapter go out, fearing the comments that will come back. Oh, sure, they're wonderful comments, and definitely help to clear any misconceptions that others may have. And I know damn well that a dissertation is not your life's work--it's not even going to be the best work you'll do in your academic career--but it's hard sometimes to let it go. I'm always changing a word here, a phrase there. The first edit is usually when the big block are moved, but after that it's just rewording, clearing up crummy clutter. And I honestly believe that I'm much more stressed when I edit than when I write...I'm trying to view my thoughts in the eyes of others, and that's very hard.
     
    So, chapter 4 is out to the Powers That Be--my 2 dissertation advisors--and now I have 3 weeks to prep the 2 courses I'm teaching in the fall. I've told my advisors that I'll have the final chapter done by the end of October, which is about what I feel is right. Hopefully they'll comply!
  22. docoflove1974
    Yesterday and today are supposed to be some of the hottest days on record. San Mateo is 20 miles south/southeast of San Francisco, and, as the crow flies, it's approximately 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. But there's a range of 'high hills' (in other parts of the country, they'd be mountains...but they're too short for that, really) in between, so the fog and ocean breezes are affluent. It's what makes this area so amazing...the heat doesn't really come, and the fog cools us off every night.
     
    Except now hehe
     
    Yesterday, "officially," it was 105'F...our thermometer read 107...in the shade. At least it's dry, not sticky, so it's quite palatable. Our downstairs is up against the hill, so it's much cooler than the upstairs; so I split my time in my office (which is downstairs) and the wine cellar. My dad brought up some big fans--he uses them for when he paints, but they came in handy last night, as there was no wind and no fog.
     
    After the sun went down, every window in the house was open to the max, and the fans were blasting. The downstairs cooled off very nicely, which made sleeping comfortable. But, whew! It felt like the Central Valley all over again!
     
    Today Dad's power-washing the house, so it'll be much cooler in here today. But outside it'll be plenty warm; it's 9:48am, and already it's 85'F outside. It'll be another scorcher today!
     
    (By the by...this weather makes for bad editing climes hehe)
  23. docoflove1974
    I just got back last night from a week in Aruba. It's a great place...much like Hawaii in terms of atmosphere and activities, but because it's more of a desert-landscape than the lush tropical one that the Hawaiian Islands offer. Otherwise...wow. Just...wow.
     
    Anyway, the island of Aruba, like its sisters of Bonaire and Cura
  24. docoflove1974
    There are certain words in Old Castilian that occur in my dataset which I have traced their etymology...and they are Arabic borrowings. Not unusual at all; because of almost 800 years of Moorish rule, and the close contact between the Romance-speaking Iberians, the Jewish shopkeepers and the Arabic-speaking Moors, there's about 10% of the Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan vocabularies which is Semitic (mostly Arabic) in origin.
     
    So, I have about 8 words in my dataset which are Arabic in origin, and I want to find out their gender in Arabic. I don't care so much about the gender inflection--Semitic inflection is different than Indo-European inflection, and they don't mix well. Often the word would be borrowed wholesale, and the gender that was associated with it would be applied (if possible).
     
    Do you have any idea who difficult it is to look up words in an Arabic-English (or Arabic-French) dictionary when it is: (a) organized according to the Arabic alphabet, not the English (or French); and (2) all of the Arabic words are written in Arabic script??? I can't find a blessed thing. And this is frustrating; Stanford must have 10 different Arabic-English dictionaries, plus 2 Arabic-French ones. I can't find a bleeping word. I have no idea where to start. Not even the first one.
     
    So, excusing me while I'm cranky...I have a headache from all the funny-looking symbols.
  25. docoflove1974

    Walk

    By docoflove1974,

    I love me some Foo Fighters. Seriously...my one fantasy revolves around Dave Grohl...I won't provide other details, as it's not necessary.
     
    How much to I love me some Foos? Everlong is my general ringtone on my Blackberry. Yeah, I said it. Everlong...the most Nirvana-like song they have.
     
    And here comes the paradox...I hate Nirvana. Well, to be fair, it's not the entire band that makes me change the station on the radio...it's only the lead singer. Kurt Cobain has (had?) a voice that I absolutely can't stand...it literally hurts my ears. A whiny quality that just unsettles me in a negative way.
     
    And yet...when you listen to just about anything early that Dave Grohl wrote for the Foos, it's clear that Nirvana was still on his mind. The video, however, is not even remotely Nirvana-like, and one could even argue it was the start of Dave Grohl branching out into joke-dom. The band has become famous for it now, throwing in at least one video per album that is a spoof. In my quite humble opinion, the video for "Long Road To Ruin" is the best one of their work, although "Big Me" is nothing to sneeze at, either.
     
    The album that came out this year, Wasting Light, is no different...although the 'joke video' is on a song that I don't like. If you download the entire album from iTunes, you get the videos for both "White Limo" (the song I can't stand on the album) and a live video for "Walk" (the song that might be my favorite). For you metal fans, you'll love "White Limo;" very influenced by all that is metal. Being the complete antithesis of a fan of heavy metal...yeah, it hurts my ears, badly. "Rope" is a great song, but the lyrics are very dark...but wow that guitar gets me moving around the room.
     

    on the other hand, it perhaps the most upbeat song that the Foos have ever produce. About getting ready to start again, because it's time...and get ready, because I'm back for real. In fact...hmmmmmm...could "Walk" unseat "Everlong" as my general ringtone? I dunno....that's a huge upset...but I might have to try it out for a bit
×
×
  • Create New...