Still looking for ghost stories for Part Four.
In the meantime, which graphic novels do you think are important?
3 days ago
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Today's Dissertation Progress - Nothing
I had high hopes for today, but it ended up a being a day of domesticity instead of work. I slept in today, which go me off schedule from the start. Then I realized I need to go to the grocery because I needed some fruits and veggies and that led to a day of food prep and cookery. In all honesty, I think the dissertation has left me a little unhinged because I went more than a little crazy with the food today.
First, I made an impromptu decision while in the store that I should make macaroni and cheese. This meant that I spent time shredding cheese, cooking pasta, etc., that I had not planned on. It is very tasty, by the way. Good comfort food, even though it is close to 90 degrees and humid outside.
I like to use multi-grain pastas, so I used the Barilla Plus elbow macaroni. Not only is this pasta tasty, but it is light enough in color that it fools picky children and adults who think that any pasta that isn't "the normal kind" tastes nasty. Anyway, I used my homemade whole wheat bread for the bread crumb topping. It is mighty good. Cheesy, but not gloppy or goopy.
Second, while swinging past the meat department I saw that there were half hams for 50% off, which made them a very good deal. The catch: the sell-by date is tomorrow. I spent a good chunk of time today cutting up the ham and packaging it in 1/2 pound packets bound for the freezer. Yes, I did weigh them. I like to know the weight so that I can plan for recipes. And of course, I froze the ham bone. I figure that by early fall I will want to make soup. In the meantime, I need a bigger freezer.
Third, I went a little crazy with the veggies. I probably bought more romaine than I can eat. Fortunately, this item doesn't involve much prep work. I bought 6 medium to large beets even though the greens were wilty. I guess that saved me from preparing more food (the greens), but I still cooked up that part of the bounty. I like the greens, but they don't stay fresh as long as the roots. Unless you can purchase them at a farmer's market or somewhere where you know that they have been recently picked, good beet greens can be hard to find.
I also bought a huge cauliflower. I didn't need one this big, but when they are all the same price my instincts are to get the big one. I bought green beans that needed to trimmed and cooked. I think you all know what I'll be living on. And this doesn't even get into my fruit purchases. The saving grace is that I didn't buy the parsnips I wanted too. I love root veggies, but I am going to have trouble making my way through all of this produce as it is!
Fourth, after all of this, I had to sanitize the disaster area that is my kitchen. It was bad.
Now, I am blogging rather than working. I really should get to work for at least a couple of hours this evening.
First, I made an impromptu decision while in the store that I should make macaroni and cheese. This meant that I spent time shredding cheese, cooking pasta, etc., that I had not planned on. It is very tasty, by the way. Good comfort food, even though it is close to 90 degrees and humid outside.
I like to use multi-grain pastas, so I used the Barilla Plus elbow macaroni. Not only is this pasta tasty, but it is light enough in color that it fools picky children and adults who think that any pasta that isn't "the normal kind" tastes nasty. Anyway, I used my homemade whole wheat bread for the bread crumb topping. It is mighty good. Cheesy, but not gloppy or goopy.
Second, while swinging past the meat department I saw that there were half hams for 50% off, which made them a very good deal. The catch: the sell-by date is tomorrow. I spent a good chunk of time today cutting up the ham and packaging it in 1/2 pound packets bound for the freezer. Yes, I did weigh them. I like to know the weight so that I can plan for recipes. And of course, I froze the ham bone. I figure that by early fall I will want to make soup. In the meantime, I need a bigger freezer.
Third, I went a little crazy with the veggies. I probably bought more romaine than I can eat. Fortunately, this item doesn't involve much prep work. I bought 6 medium to large beets even though the greens were wilty. I guess that saved me from preparing more food (the greens), but I still cooked up that part of the bounty. I like the greens, but they don't stay fresh as long as the roots. Unless you can purchase them at a farmer's market or somewhere where you know that they have been recently picked, good beet greens can be hard to find.
I also bought a huge cauliflower. I didn't need one this big, but when they are all the same price my instincts are to get the big one. I bought green beans that needed to trimmed and cooked. I think you all know what I'll be living on. And this doesn't even get into my fruit purchases. The saving grace is that I didn't buy the parsnips I wanted too. I love root veggies, but I am going to have trouble making my way through all of this produce as it is!
Fourth, after all of this, I had to sanitize the disaster area that is my kitchen. It was bad.
Now, I am blogging rather than working. I really should get to work for at least a couple of hours this evening.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
In Which I Blush
Brigindo over at dirt and rocks just presented me with an award!
Naturally, there are a few rules. Here they are:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.
I nominate: Elle, Kate (name twin!), Alice, JM, Mike, Dorothea, and Rik.
I admit that this is partly a ploy to get a few of the brilliant people listed above to post more often.
Now, I'm not sure if they have "showy" style by conventional standards, but they all either use language extremely well and creatively, use graphics, videos, and/or pictures in their posts, or a combination of the two.
However, if we venture into the OED, "brillante" with an "e" is a one line entry: " A term prefixed to a passage or movement, when it is to be played or sung in a gay and sparkling style."
For "brillant" without the "e," a noun, we get a bit more:
1676
1678
This is what happens when you give an award to a research geek like me.
Naturally, there are a few rules. Here they are:
1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog.
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.
I nominate: Elle, Kate (name twin!), Alice, JM, Mike, Dorothea, and Rik.
I admit that this is partly a ploy to get a few of the brilliant people listed above to post more often.
Now, I'm not sure if they have "showy" style by conventional standards, but they all either use language extremely well and creatively, use graphics, videos, and/or pictures in their posts, or a combination of the two.
However, if we venture into the OED, "brillante" with an "e" is a one line entry: " A term prefixed to a passage or movement, when it is to be played or sung in a gay and sparkling style."
For "brillant" without the "e," a noun, we get a bit more:
Also 7 brillain. [F. brillant n., brilliance, brilliancy (subst. use of brillant
Brilliancy.
1676 | |||||||||||
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
1676
1678
This is what happens when you give an award to a research geek like me.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Dissertation = Pain, Part 2: Writing Respectfully
For those of you who don't know the topic of my dissertation, here is the working title and first paragraph of an abstract:
As a feminized profession librarianship is frequently glossed over as a site of cultural and rhetorical actions, and, historically, libraries and librarians have been ignored in our discussions of literacy practices. My dissertation examines articles in professional journals and magazines written by Progressive Era librarians about their work with immigrant communities. Within these narratives, I examine the way identities combine and collide, revealing and eliding political and gendered discourses of work and community. Drawing principally on feminist rhetorical theories and analysis of historical recovery as presented in works by authors such as Cheryl Glenn, Nan Johnson, Shirley Wilson Logan, and Anne Ruggles Gere, I weave together the relationships between literacy ideology, institutions, gender, and professionalization as they influenced this textual production during the Progressive Era. Rewriting these voices into our history, I hope to reconstruct the role of libraries as active advocates of English and civic literacy in communities across the country.
So, that's my subject in a nutshell.
What are my problems?
Capitalizing on Literacy: Librarians Writing For and About Library-Based Americanization Programs, 1910-1925
As a feminized profession librarianship is frequently glossed over as a site of cultural and rhetorical actions, and, historically, libraries and librarians have been ignored in our discussions of literacy practices. My dissertation examines articles in professional journals and magazines written by Progressive Era librarians about their work with immigrant communities. Within these narratives, I examine the way identities combine and collide, revealing and eliding political and gendered discourses of work and community. Drawing principally on feminist rhetorical theories and analysis of historical recovery as presented in works by authors such as Cheryl Glenn, Nan Johnson, Shirley Wilson Logan, and Anne Ruggles Gere, I weave together the relationships between literacy ideology, institutions, gender, and professionalization as they influenced this textual production during the Progressive Era. Rewriting these voices into our history, I hope to reconstruct the role of libraries as active advocates of English and civic literacy in communities across the country.
So, that's my subject in a nutshell.
What are my problems?
- I'm very sensitive about making generalizations. These are complex individuals. While some of their writing demonstrates ideas about race, ethnicity, gender, and class that were typical during the Progressive Era, this isn't universal. Some would be progressive by modern standards. Others, not so much. So, for me, it comes down to making some conclusions while noting these subtle and not-so-subtle differences and what they could/might mean, if anything.
- Related to #1, I keep imagining all of the ways others might interpret this writing (the librarians', not mine). As a result, I spend too much time thinking of all the ways I can contextualize the material for different readers.
- I'm working in two disciplines - Comp-Rhet and Library and Info Studies. I think this shapes my obsessions about my audiences. I've always thought of my project as a comp-rhet/literacy studies project that happens to look at a chapter in library history. It took me a long time to get others to see this. My allegiances are still questioned. I think part of my problem is that I am trying to write in a way that will satisfy two different disciplines.
- For whatever reason, I'm having trouble articulating the differences between the ways race was conceived then and now for my readers. Many Progressive Era writers use the word "race" where we might use "ethnicity." But it isn't as simple as just a word substitution. For many, those differences were considered to be a difference of race - even among those who weren't eugenicists.
- It isn't just a problem of explaining #4 well. I also wonder how, even if this is explained well, people will read the word "race" in so much of this writing I am working with.
- Writing about the ways some writers stereotype immigrant groups based on ethnicity, class, and gender. I need to discuss it critically. I want to discuss it critically. I also want to show respect for a lot of the work these librarians were doing. Finding that balance is crucial. I don't want to slam them for being middle class white women of their time, but I do need to acknowledge and examine the place of privilege they held, even when they didn't.
- There is maternalism and paternalism. I don't seem to have trouble discussing this, but again, I don't want people to read my dissertation and come away from it thinking these people are evil. (but really, will anyone read it)
- As part of this work, I'm very seriously advocating that our field ignores libraries as sites of reading and writing, both today and in the past. I almost feel like I am being rude when I do this even though I know I'm not. I suspect it is the whole 'who am I to tell comp/rhet what it lacks' sort of thing.
- Then again, if I'm the only one who cares about all of this...I don't know where to go from here.
Dissertation = Pain
There will probably be a long post coming up, but for now I will just say that my dissertation is driving me mad.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Peaches
I love peaches. In cobblers, pies, parfaits, preserves, and just plain. With shortcakes and pound cakes and french toast. Roasted with chicken and pork. Drizzled with honey! Grilled!!! I LOVE peaches!!
Living in Northeastern Indiana, this can be a problem.
Now, there are plenty of peaches in the grocery stores. They look very pretty. Unfortunately, they rarely taste as good as they look. Almost all of the available peaches come from California. They are rarely good. Perhaps they are better when they are picked at a later stage, but I suspect the process for long distance travel is not good to the peach. I have yet to have one that has good texture - they are almost always mealy. Bleh! The flavor isn't that great either.
I look forward to Georgia peaches, but they are hard to come by. I know of one place in this county that sells them and one place in the next county over. I'm perplexed by this. Geographically speaking, Georgia is much closer than California. Absurd, isn't it? For now, I have to drive to the local greenhouse with the small produce market (btw, they have fabulous tomatoes) and get there early to get the good peaches.
But the absurdity continues. Later in the summer, the very delicious Red Haven peaches grown in Michigan should be available. Guess what - they're just as hard to find in the local groceries as the Georgia peaches are. Wonderful peaches are grown just one state away, and the grocery stores are still stocked with California peaches. Disgusting! Again, I'll be hitting the produce stands and that greenhouse produce stand and orchards looking for a supplier.* The worst part of all of this is that these non-California varieties were much more prevalent when I was younger. When the Red Havens were in season, they were always available at the local grocery stores. It was exciting to go into the produce section and see the sign stating that the long-waited for peaches were now available. Not anymore.
It's a good thing I already have some leads on my favorite apple varieties.
*I feel like I am seeking illicit drugs.
Living in Northeastern Indiana, this can be a problem.
Now, there are plenty of peaches in the grocery stores. They look very pretty. Unfortunately, they rarely taste as good as they look. Almost all of the available peaches come from California. They are rarely good. Perhaps they are better when they are picked at a later stage, but I suspect the process for long distance travel is not good to the peach. I have yet to have one that has good texture - they are almost always mealy. Bleh! The flavor isn't that great either.
I look forward to Georgia peaches, but they are hard to come by. I know of one place in this county that sells them and one place in the next county over. I'm perplexed by this. Geographically speaking, Georgia is much closer than California. Absurd, isn't it? For now, I have to drive to the local greenhouse with the small produce market (btw, they have fabulous tomatoes) and get there early to get the good peaches.
But the absurdity continues. Later in the summer, the very delicious Red Haven peaches grown in Michigan should be available. Guess what - they're just as hard to find in the local groceries as the Georgia peaches are. Wonderful peaches are grown just one state away, and the grocery stores are still stocked with California peaches. Disgusting! Again, I'll be hitting the produce stands and that greenhouse produce stand and orchards looking for a supplier.* The worst part of all of this is that these non-California varieties were much more prevalent when I was younger. When the Red Havens were in season, they were always available at the local grocery stores. It was exciting to go into the produce section and see the sign stating that the long-waited for peaches were now available. Not anymore.
It's a good thing I already have some leads on my favorite apple varieties.
*I feel like I am seeking illicit drugs.
Cravings
I've been craving pizza all afternoon. I can't get it out of my mind. The cravings are interfering with my work!
I have oodles and oodles of healthy food around - homemade whole wheat bread, fresh peaches, fresh blueberries, bananas, melon, carrots, broccoli, etc. What do I want - pizza! Maybe just a thin-crust pizza with loads of veggies. Can I justify that? But, what I really want is a sausage pizza. Bad k8.
Update: Looked at the take-out menu for the place down the road and I am tempted by the "german" pizza. Two(!) kinds of sausage, onions, and a mustard sauce. I could do without the sauerkraut, though. I'm not a big fan of cabbage and believe me, I've tried it many many ways.
Update #2: I gave in, but just to thin crust sausage pizza. It was good.
I have oodles and oodles of healthy food around - homemade whole wheat bread, fresh peaches, fresh blueberries, bananas, melon, carrots, broccoli, etc. What do I want - pizza! Maybe just a thin-crust pizza with loads of veggies. Can I justify that? But, what I really want is a sausage pizza. Bad k8.
Update: Looked at the take-out menu for the place down the road and I am tempted by the "german" pizza. Two(!) kinds of sausage, onions, and a mustard sauce. I could do without the sauerkraut, though. I'm not a big fan of cabbage and believe me, I've tried it many many ways.
Update #2: I gave in, but just to thin crust sausage pizza. It was good.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Exploring The Classics, Genre Style - Part 4
Going back to Part 1, I'm going to ask for a subset of Speculative Fiction. I'm interested in The Ghost Story. I decided to return to this for a very specific reason.
Basically, I freaked out last night after reading M. R. James' The Treasure of Abbott Thomas before bed. Yes, I should know better, but normally ghost stories before bed don't bother me (nor does Lovecraft, but that's another issue). However, on a night when the wind is creating all sorts of noises, reading a story that includes noises heard outside of characters' bedroom doors (keeping them awake) probably isn't the best course of action. I was a little jumpy.
So, know any good ghost stories???
Basically, I freaked out last night after reading M. R. James' The Treasure of Abbott Thomas before bed. Yes, I should know better, but normally ghost stories before bed don't bother me (nor does Lovecraft, but that's another issue). However, on a night when the wind is creating all sorts of noises, reading a story that includes noises heard outside of characters' bedroom doors (keeping them awake) probably isn't the best course of action. I was a little jumpy.
So, know any good ghost stories???
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Exploring The Classics, Genre Style - Part 3
Thanks for the suggestions so far for Part 1 (Speculative Fiction) and Part 2 (Mystery). Feel free to keep the suggestions coming!
I am truly clueless about today's genre, the Romance. All I really know is that there are many sub-genres (historical, paranormal, contemporary, Christian/inspirational, erotica, etc.). Aside from that, I'm pretty lost about the texts themselves (I do know about Janice Radway's work about reading the romance, though).
Do I include Jane Austen's books? Can I include Romeo and Juliet? Will the canon police be upset if I do include these titles? And do I care? Probably not.
What would you include?
I am truly clueless about today's genre, the Romance. All I really know is that there are many sub-genres (historical, paranormal, contemporary, Christian/inspirational, erotica, etc.). Aside from that, I'm pretty lost about the texts themselves (I do know about Janice Radway's work about reading the romance, though).
Do I include Jane Austen's books? Can I include Romeo and Juliet? Will the canon police be upset if I do include these titles? And do I care? Probably not.
What would you include?
Friday, July 18, 2008
I Bought A Dragon Wing Today
A dragon wing red begonia, that is. Isn't it pretty?
On a whim I had picked one up on Tuesday (this one)
and decided that I like it so much that I needed another one. So, today I braved a greenhouse in 90+ degree weather (with humidity) for the plant in the first photo. I think it was worth it.
On a whim I had picked one up on Tuesday (this one)
and decided that I like it so much that I needed another one. So, today I braved a greenhouse in 90+ degree weather (with humidity) for the plant in the first photo. I think it was worth it.
New Classics - Another Book Meme
Keeping with the theme of the week, I've decided to do the meme mentioned over at Academic Cog by Sisyphus.
The Rules:
1. Read the Entertainment Weekly List of New Classics:
2. Make a list of 10 or 20 or 25 of the best books of prose narrative (which excludes things like Fast Food Nation, which EW includes) you've read written since 1983.
3. Put it on your blog.
4. Boldface the authors not appearing on EW's top 100. Italicize the authors who appear with a different book.
5. Tag people if you want.
My list is pretty heavy with the kiddie lit, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. So, here it goes (in no particular order):
The Rules:
1. Read the Entertainment Weekly List of New Classics:
2. Make a list of 10 or 20 or 25 of the best books of prose narrative (which excludes things like Fast Food Nation, which EW includes) you've read written since 1983.
3. Put it on your blog.
4. Boldface the authors not appearing on EW's top 100. Italicize the authors who appear with a different book.
5. Tag people if you want.
My list is pretty heavy with the kiddie lit, but that shouldn't come as a surprise. So, here it goes (in no particular order):
- His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
- Surrender by Sonya Hartnett
- Skellig by David Almond
- The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Vol. 1: The Pox Party by M. T. Anderson
- American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
- Day of Tears by Julius Lester
- The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
- The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen
- A Step From Heaven by An Na
- The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones
- Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
- Hexwood by Diana Wynne Jones (yeah, three books might be a bit much)
- Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography by Lemony Snicket
- The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco (I might be cheating a bit here. It was published in Italian in 1980 but wasn't published in English until 1983.)
- Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers
- Misery by Stephen King
- The Changeover by Margaret Mahy
- how i live now by Meg Rosoff
- The Dark-thirty: Southern Tales of the Supernatural by Patricia McKissack
- Kira-Kira by Cynthia Kadohata
- Wishing I could add a couple novels in verse for the rest....
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Exploring The Classics, Genre Style - Part 2
Since I didn't get any suggestions for speculative fiction, I'm trying out the next genre on my list. My knowledge of this genre is much sketchier than my knowledge of speculative fiction.
Which books/short stories/etc. would you consider to be classic mysteries?
Which books/short stories/etc. would you consider to be classic mysteries?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Just A Thought
At nearly 10pm it should not be 77 degrees outside, but it is. Bleh!
Update: Almost midnight and down to 73 degrees. I am thankful for a/c, that's all there is to it. It is not what one might call "good sleeping weather." I grew up without a/c, so that phrase was used. "Good sleeping weather" could refer to those early fall nights - you know the ones, after a lovely warm day there is a cool night - just cool enough that you might need a light blanket. Yeah, good sleeping weather.
Update: Almost midnight and down to 73 degrees. I am thankful for a/c, that's all there is to it. It is not what one might call "good sleeping weather." I grew up without a/c, so that phrase was used. "Good sleeping weather" could refer to those early fall nights - you know the ones, after a lovely warm day there is a cool night - just cool enough that you might need a light blanket. Yeah, good sleeping weather.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
More Canonicity - A Meme
CrS over at marginalia gratae tagged all readers of her answers to the following questions. So, Here it goes:
Question One: What is the best classic you were "forced" to read in school (and why)?
Don Juan by Byron. Seriously cracks me up. Really, the last two lines of this stanza will always be lodged firmly in my mind:
'T is pity learned virgins ever wed
With persons of no sort of education,
Or gentlemen, who, though well born and bred,
Grow tired of scientific conversation:
I don't choose to say much upon this head,
I 'm a plain man, and in a single station,
But--Oh! ye lords of ladies intellectual,
Inform us truly, have they not hen-peck'd you all?
I know, it's sexist (and Donna Inez really isn't all that bright - she's just pretentious) but it still makes me laugh.
Question Two: What was the worst classic you were enforced to endure (and why)?
It's a toss up between Berthold Brecht's Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder and Günter Grass' Katz und Maus. The first because I also had to see it in the theatre and it was done the way Brecht's epic theatre is meant to be done. Verfremdung all around. It was a truly painful experience. Ninety minutes of hell that felt like an eternity (as opposed to a 4 hour showing of Ibsen's Peer Gynt that didn't feel like even 90 minutes).
As for Grass - whenever I read his work, I feel like he must be very satisfied with himself. Additionally, I just can't connect with his work. Often when this happens, I can still appreciate the work for form or style or some other reason, but not with Grass. I'm just aggravated.
Question Three: Which classic should every student be required to read (and why)?
I have trouble with the idea that we should force people to read anything. I don't know if this is because I am contrary or if it is my librarian side coming out. Anyway, here are a few titles. I'd give you reasons for them, but I think that people should read them and make their own decisions about them.
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I also like The Hunting of the Snark.
Nichomachean Ethics by Aristotle.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin.
Question Four: Which classic should be put to rest (and why)?
Der Zauberberg by Thomas Mann. Just kill it now. I can't tell you how many times I fell asleep while trying to read it. Just kill everyone in the sanatorium and let it end.
Question Five: **Bonus** Why do you think some books become classics?
Oh, sometimes I really do wonder. I could write a long essay about the development of the Great Books program or about elite education or about genre stratification in literature. There are so many reasons, but I think that ultimately we humans enjoy ranking aspects of culture and ourselves. One thing I find interesting is that in many of the lists of great books, western canon, or even world canon, we rarely see literature for children listed. Sure, there are fairy tales and fables, sometimes some Lewis Carroll or some Lear, but generally speaking it isn't on the list.
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves why this literature that is loved, and is certainly formative, isn't given the status of so many titles that are never read by the bulk of the population. Where's Dr. Seuss on these lists? Certainly more people are familiar with his poetry than the poetry of Petrarch or Pound. What about E. Nesbit? Or Cormier? Sure, Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye gets placed on some lists, but there is much much much better young adult literature out there. Perhaps I should have placed it in the list of classics to take off the shelf.
Oh, and you're all tagged.
Question One: What is the best classic you were "forced" to read in school (and why)?
Don Juan by Byron. Seriously cracks me up. Really, the last two lines of this stanza will always be lodged firmly in my mind:
'T is pity learned virgins ever wed
With persons of no sort of education,
Or gentlemen, who, though well born and bred,
Grow tired of scientific conversation:
I don't choose to say much upon this head,
I 'm a plain man, and in a single station,
But--Oh! ye lords of ladies intellectual,
Inform us truly, have they not hen-peck'd you all?
I know, it's sexist (and Donna Inez really isn't all that bright - she's just pretentious) but it still makes me laugh.
Question Two: What was the worst classic you were enforced to endure (and why)?
It's a toss up between Berthold Brecht's Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder and Günter Grass' Katz und Maus. The first because I also had to see it in the theatre and it was done the way Brecht's epic theatre is meant to be done. Verfremdung all around. It was a truly painful experience. Ninety minutes of hell that felt like an eternity (as opposed to a 4 hour showing of Ibsen's Peer Gynt that didn't feel like even 90 minutes).
As for Grass - whenever I read his work, I feel like he must be very satisfied with himself. Additionally, I just can't connect with his work. Often when this happens, I can still appreciate the work for form or style or some other reason, but not with Grass. I'm just aggravated.
Question Three: Which classic should every student be required to read (and why)?
I have trouble with the idea that we should force people to read anything. I don't know if this is because I am contrary or if it is my librarian side coming out. Anyway, here are a few titles. I'd give you reasons for them, but I think that people should read them and make their own decisions about them.
Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll. I also like The Hunting of the Snark.
Nichomachean Ethics by Aristotle.
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin.
Question Four: Which classic should be put to rest (and why)?
Der Zauberberg by Thomas Mann. Just kill it now. I can't tell you how many times I fell asleep while trying to read it. Just kill everyone in the sanatorium and let it end.
Question Five: **Bonus** Why do you think some books become classics?
Oh, sometimes I really do wonder. I could write a long essay about the development of the Great Books program or about elite education or about genre stratification in literature. There are so many reasons, but I think that ultimately we humans enjoy ranking aspects of culture and ourselves. One thing I find interesting is that in many of the lists of great books, western canon, or even world canon, we rarely see literature for children listed. Sure, there are fairy tales and fables, sometimes some Lewis Carroll or some Lear, but generally speaking it isn't on the list.
Perhaps we need to ask ourselves why this literature that is loved, and is certainly formative, isn't given the status of so many titles that are never read by the bulk of the population. Where's Dr. Seuss on these lists? Certainly more people are familiar with his poetry than the poetry of Petrarch or Pound. What about E. Nesbit? Or Cormier? Sure, Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye gets placed on some lists, but there is much much much better young adult literature out there. Perhaps I should have placed it in the list of classics to take off the shelf.
Oh, and you're all tagged.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Exploring The Classics, Genre Style - Part 1
I'm still thinking about those issues of the canon discussed first by Mike and then by me back in May. More accurately, I'm thinking about the way "classics" are defined within genres of literature. And, what is the difference (when there is one) between the titles that people place on these lists and the titles that aren't found on these lists but that everyday people really into the genre seem to know.
I like to read these books occasionally. Not just because I enjoy them (I often do), but because I want to understand the genre - its antecedents and its formation - better. While there are many lists I can and do sometimes consult, I'm just as interested in what people think other people should read within these genres.
Today I'm asking all of you this question for one genre (I'll ask about others later this week). Don't worry if you think I've probably read it. In fact, if I read it a long time ago, I might just need to read it again. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned more than one time that I am a compulsive re-reader.
So, which books should I read that can be classified as Speculative Fiction? Feel free to subdivide or label which books you would consider fantasy, sf, a combo, ghost story, something else, etc. Earlier this year I read Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination and Oliver Onions' The Beckoning Fair One, and I'm currently reading Hope Mirrlees's Lud-in-the-Mist. What else should I put on my list?
I like to read these books occasionally. Not just because I enjoy them (I often do), but because I want to understand the genre - its antecedents and its formation - better. While there are many lists I can and do sometimes consult, I'm just as interested in what people think other people should read within these genres.
Today I'm asking all of you this question for one genre (I'll ask about others later this week). Don't worry if you think I've probably read it. In fact, if I read it a long time ago, I might just need to read it again. I'm pretty sure I've mentioned more than one time that I am a compulsive re-reader.
So, which books should I read that can be classified as Speculative Fiction? Feel free to subdivide or label which books you would consider fantasy, sf, a combo, ghost story, something else, etc. Earlier this year I read Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination and Oliver Onions' The Beckoning Fair One, and I'm currently reading Hope Mirrlees's Lud-in-the-Mist. What else should I put on my list?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Apparently, I'm Odd
Not that this is a surprise to anyone who knows me.
I realized today that during the entire time I've been here, with the exception of my trip to the "natural foods" store, I haven't seen anyone aside from myself bring/use their own bags at the supermarket. Suddenly, the fact that every cashier seems surprised by the appearance of my bags makes sense.
Of course, it could be because I use large heavy-duty beach totes (bought on clearance at the outlet mall) instead of those wimpy little bags you see most places. My totes handle multiple bags of flour or gallons of milk just fine and I can carry them on my shoulder, which is much better than looping a bunch of little bags around my wrist.
But, I think it is the fact that I bring my own bags. In Madison many people use their own bags, so the issue didn't even register until today. Anyway, that's my moment of enlightenment of the day.
I realized today that during the entire time I've been here, with the exception of my trip to the "natural foods" store, I haven't seen anyone aside from myself bring/use their own bags at the supermarket. Suddenly, the fact that every cashier seems surprised by the appearance of my bags makes sense.
Of course, it could be because I use large heavy-duty beach totes (bought on clearance at the outlet mall) instead of those wimpy little bags you see most places. My totes handle multiple bags of flour or gallons of milk just fine and I can carry them on my shoulder, which is much better than looping a bunch of little bags around my wrist.
But, I think it is the fact that I bring my own bags. In Madison many people use their own bags, so the issue didn't even register until today. Anyway, that's my moment of enlightenment of the day.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
On Not Reading Slowly
I've been avoiding discussing my progress reading Vanity Fair. I wrote that I would read it slowly. Alas, I finished it over a week ago. Yeah, so that didn't quite fit the long-term reading plan.
What happened?
I am without television. VF is a melodramatic romp and it took the place of my tendency to watch "bad" television during the summer. So, while I read it slowly based on my usual rate of progress (878 pages, 949 with the end notes, in two weeks), I raced through it fairly quickly. I have to say that I hadn't read a Victorian novel for quite some time. I forgot how much cousin-marrying goes on in them.
Since finishing VF, I also finished Eva Ibbotson's Dial-A-Ghost. More fun - she is a very mischievous writer and I like that. I also added to my unread list by ordering more books. It really is an addiction. I didn't actually spend my own money, though. I've been collecting gift cards and decided to indulge.
I was good - I ordered books for work and pleasure. But, after reading two books (working on a third) on the unread book list, I'm adding more than twice that many. This is not the way to make progress. One of the academic books I have read and I've skimmed through another one. They are books I really should own for reference purposes, so I suppose they can be listed as read. Notice how I am trying to justify my bad behavior by trying to balance it with good behavior. Justification, that's what I'm all about these days.
What happened?
I am without television. VF is a melodramatic romp and it took the place of my tendency to watch "bad" television during the summer. So, while I read it slowly based on my usual rate of progress (878 pages, 949 with the end notes, in two weeks), I raced through it fairly quickly. I have to say that I hadn't read a Victorian novel for quite some time. I forgot how much cousin-marrying goes on in them.
Since finishing VF, I also finished Eva Ibbotson's Dial-A-Ghost. More fun - she is a very mischievous writer and I like that. I also added to my unread list by ordering more books. It really is an addiction. I didn't actually spend my own money, though. I've been collecting gift cards and decided to indulge.
I was good - I ordered books for work and pleasure. But, after reading two books (working on a third) on the unread book list, I'm adding more than twice that many. This is not the way to make progress. One of the academic books I have read and I've skimmed through another one. They are books I really should own for reference purposes, so I suppose they can be listed as read. Notice how I am trying to justify my bad behavior by trying to balance it with good behavior. Justification, that's what I'm all about these days.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Fireworks And The Burning Bush(es)
Last night, after the official fire works put on by the lake association, people around the lake started setting off fireworks. This is normal. Btw, the fireworks over the lake were lovely. Anyway, the neighbors to the east were setting off some with a launcher and one went the wrong way. That is, rather than going up and out over the lake, it didn't go up at all. It went low to the ground, through a pair of bushes (just missing the fence) and straight across our yard!
Right past the tree you can see on the left side of the photo is the end of the wooden fence and the continuation of the various bushes. It is at this location that the firework flew through the yard. As you might imagine, the two bushes began to burn.
Eventually the flames were put out. Multiple neighbors with multiple hoses, and all. Actually, it is a very good thing that it missed the fence and the fire was put out before it reached the fence. The fence is very old and very dry. It would have gone up in flames in seconds, putting the houses on both sides of the fence in danger.
The bushes should survive, but each one needs to have a hefty chunk trimmed off. Is it bad that this makes me happy? I've been wanting to hack these bushes down because they impede my view of the lake. Now I have a legitimate reason to mess with my mother's landscaping "plan" of just letting everything grow. It will all need to be trimmed now in the interest of keeping proportions regular and balanced.
Later this week I will go to fetch my father's electric hedge trimmers. Let the carnage begin!
Right past the tree you can see on the left side of the photo is the end of the wooden fence and the continuation of the various bushes. It is at this location that the firework flew through the yard. As you might imagine, the two bushes began to burn.
Eventually the flames were put out. Multiple neighbors with multiple hoses, and all. Actually, it is a very good thing that it missed the fence and the fire was put out before it reached the fence. The fence is very old and very dry. It would have gone up in flames in seconds, putting the houses on both sides of the fence in danger.
The bushes should survive, but each one needs to have a hefty chunk trimmed off. Is it bad that this makes me happy? I've been wanting to hack these bushes down because they impede my view of the lake. Now I have a legitimate reason to mess with my mother's landscaping "plan" of just letting everything grow. It will all need to be trimmed now in the interest of keeping proportions regular and balanced.
Later this week I will go to fetch my father's electric hedge trimmers. Let the carnage begin!
Thursday, July 03, 2008
And So It Has Begun
I am not fond of life at the lake during long weekends like the one that has just begun. The lake is overcrowded. Too many people, people who wouldn't drive their car while intoxicated, seem to think that it is ok to drink all day while out on the boat and then drive said boat. The there are the personal water crafts. I normally have no problem with them - it looks like fun. However, I've already seen several of them weaving in and around large boats, speeding close to shore (some boats are doing this too), and other examples of bad driving. Last weekend I saw someone do the equivalent of buzzing the tower with a plane, only that person chose to "buzz" some of the swans. This is strongly discouraged around here as it has led to swan attacks in the past. People do the same thing to the geese and other water fowl. It really disgusts me.
The lake police/dnr should be out in full force. Hopefully the idiots will be kept in check so that everyone else can enjoy a safe weekend. Aside from the lakeside dui problems, it is a problem with cars, too. As you might imagine, the roads around the lakes in this county (100+ lakes) wind and snake through the patches of land between all of the water. This is not a good place to drive when not in complete control.
I've already heard fireworks going off and I've felt the bass from someone's music. Last night, however, we had a different kind of fireworks. We had a huge electrical storm. It was really spectacular. I turned off the lights in the house and settled in on the couch to watch the show. I love the way lightening flashes reflect off of the water at night. The real fireworks over the lake on Saturday should be great. I'm lucky - I can actually stay in the house and see them very well. Going out in a boat is fun, too, but it can be a pain idling through the boat gridlock to get home again. Always looking at the bright side, I am.
The lake police/dnr should be out in full force. Hopefully the idiots will be kept in check so that everyone else can enjoy a safe weekend. Aside from the lakeside dui problems, it is a problem with cars, too. As you might imagine, the roads around the lakes in this county (100+ lakes) wind and snake through the patches of land between all of the water. This is not a good place to drive when not in complete control.
I've already heard fireworks going off and I've felt the bass from someone's music. Last night, however, we had a different kind of fireworks. We had a huge electrical storm. It was really spectacular. I turned off the lights in the house and settled in on the couch to watch the show. I love the way lightening flashes reflect off of the water at night. The real fireworks over the lake on Saturday should be great. I'm lucky - I can actually stay in the house and see them very well. Going out in a boat is fun, too, but it can be a pain idling through the boat gridlock to get home again. Always looking at the bright side, I am.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
The Canary In The Coal Mine
This weekend was...interesting.
Saturday was my dad's birthday. We did the cake and ice cream celebration on Sunday when the whole family could get together. But, on the real birthday those of us who were available went out to dinner. Sounds great! I was to drive to my parents' house by 5pm so that we could all drive to the restaurant together (parents, younger brother, and me).
I arrived at my parents, went in the door that takes one through the laundry room, and was overwhelmed by the smell of bleach. I walked on through, assuming that my mother had been on one of her bleach-happy cleaning binges.* I made a comment about the heavy bleach smell. "Oh, it isn't that bad," I was told, it was just my brother using a little bleach in the laundry he brought with him.
[by the way, if you didn't know, I'm the canary from the title of this post]
Now, I don't suffer from acute chemical sensitivities, but I am a little more sensitive to these things than the rest of my family. The smell of varnish, for example, can send me straight to migraine. Anyway, as we waited around, I felt a wave of nausea coming on. Not good, especially before dinner. As we left the house, my parents even noted that the smell was pretty bad. My brother said nothing.
Throughout dinner, I felt queasy. Fortunately, nothing worse happened, but I felt pretty wretched. I had planned to spend the night at the parents, but quickly chose not to. I wouldn't even go back into the house. Instead, I drove back to the lake and felt better by the end of the evening. That night, my parents aired out there house and got rid of the bleach smell, which by then was even starting to bother my dad.
When I arrived the next day, my father told me that after they returned to the house (and after I had left), my brother sheepishly admitted that he had used over 2 cups of bleach in his small load of laundry. Yes, my brother the scientist, who has taken loads of chemistry coursework and works in a lab, didn't think about the consequences of excessive chlorine bleach fumes. Because apparently, just like with duct tape, the more the better. I am not impressed. Let's hope he doesn't try to mix bleach and ammonia, too.
I can only hope that he will use less bleach in the future.
*The woman uses a lot of bleach! I think she got this from her mother, who was a nurse and who liked to keep things fairly sterile inside the house.
Saturday was my dad's birthday. We did the cake and ice cream celebration on Sunday when the whole family could get together. But, on the real birthday those of us who were available went out to dinner. Sounds great! I was to drive to my parents' house by 5pm so that we could all drive to the restaurant together (parents, younger brother, and me).
I arrived at my parents, went in the door that takes one through the laundry room, and was overwhelmed by the smell of bleach. I walked on through, assuming that my mother had been on one of her bleach-happy cleaning binges.* I made a comment about the heavy bleach smell. "Oh, it isn't that bad," I was told, it was just my brother using a little bleach in the laundry he brought with him.
[by the way, if you didn't know, I'm the canary from the title of this post]
Now, I don't suffer from acute chemical sensitivities, but I am a little more sensitive to these things than the rest of my family. The smell of varnish, for example, can send me straight to migraine. Anyway, as we waited around, I felt a wave of nausea coming on. Not good, especially before dinner. As we left the house, my parents even noted that the smell was pretty bad. My brother said nothing.
Throughout dinner, I felt queasy. Fortunately, nothing worse happened, but I felt pretty wretched. I had planned to spend the night at the parents, but quickly chose not to. I wouldn't even go back into the house. Instead, I drove back to the lake and felt better by the end of the evening. That night, my parents aired out there house and got rid of the bleach smell, which by then was even starting to bother my dad.
When I arrived the next day, my father told me that after they returned to the house (and after I had left), my brother sheepishly admitted that he had used over 2 cups of bleach in his small load of laundry. Yes, my brother the scientist, who has taken loads of chemistry coursework and works in a lab, didn't think about the consequences of excessive chlorine bleach fumes. Because apparently, just like with duct tape, the more the better. I am not impressed. Let's hope he doesn't try to mix bleach and ammonia, too.
I can only hope that he will use less bleach in the future.
*The woman uses a lot of bleach! I think she got this from her mother, who was a nurse and who liked to keep things fairly sterile inside the house.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)