Matching. Match qualified participant(s) to event with re-appropriated title.
1._____ladies
2._____you're better off without her
3._____child-free or your kids are over 18
A. No Country for Old Men
B. "No Woman, No Cry"
C. No Child Left Behind
31 January, 2009
30 January, 2009
29 January, 2009
Bulb out. I felt it while leaving the ARC and knew it would be bad when I dumped my wineglass after one sip.
So in light (poor word choice) of the oncoming migraine, I'm plagiarizing my own Facebook again. Shortly after the request for 16 "random" things came a request for 25. I can't resist talking about myself, so I played along again.
Consider yourselves "tagged".
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 9:26am | Edit Note | Delete
1. I'm a little disturbed by how much I like FaceBook.
2.Given a choice of coffee or tea, 99 times out of 100, it's the former, but if asked to choose between coffee and wine from here on out, it would be a tough choice.
3. Of course I'm not such a peasant that I buy wines because of their pretty labels! I choose them based on their names (Novella, Sincerity, Sixth Sense, Lorca, etc.).
4. I love all dogs.
5. The activities that bring me the most pleasure are also often those which paralyze me with insecurity.
6. I hardly ever watch TV and I feel kind of guilty about that.
7. I prefer to listen rather than talk. But I'm getting better about talking!
8. Even the days of darkest feelings are better than a few minutes devoid of feelings at all.
9. I am fascinated by and thankful for serendipity, but I don't count on it.
10. I love true humility in certain people who have achieved greatness.
11. I love swaggering arrogance in certain young people who have yet to achieve all they eventually will (see McLovin from the movie SuperBad).
12. It is easier for me to express affection in Spanish than it is in English.
13. Although I was skeptically aloof at first, within 30 seconds of my first and only visit, I was swept away by the magic of Disneyland.
14. The voices of Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez and James Taylor have the power to stop me in my tracks and send me instantly on a multi-sensory trip back in time.
15. You'd have to do something reallyreallyreally bad for me to not forgive you.
16. I watch for the reactions of the people I've cooked for as they take their first bite.
17. I treasure "I voted" stickers as the manifestations of an almost sacred right/rite.
18. Sometimes I think my MacBook has a soul.
19. I've forgotten the art of uni-tasking: I'm writing this, reading Monsiváis, doing laundry and playing with the dogs.
20. I heart hearts.
21. Religion, politics or Ford vs. Chevy are discussions I try to avoid around people with whom I want to stay friends.
22. I have a small collection of Homies.
23. I like cities. A lot.
24. At times when I least expect it and most need it a rush of "love thy neighbor" (and thy neighbor's neighbor) floods my heart.
25. 25 things are too many. And I'm not "tagging" anyone because it's invasive, because some of you may not like it, and because even if I did tag I wouldn't want to tag only 25 of you, potentially causing the 116 others to feel left out.
Consider yourselves "tagged".
Share
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 9:26am | Edit Note | Delete
1. I'm a little disturbed by how much I like FaceBook.
2.Given a choice of coffee or tea, 99 times out of 100, it's the former, but if asked to choose between coffee and wine from here on out, it would be a tough choice.
3. Of course I'm not such a peasant that I buy wines because of their pretty labels! I choose them based on their names (Novella, Sincerity, Sixth Sense, Lorca, etc.).
4. I love all dogs.
5. The activities that bring me the most pleasure are also often those which paralyze me with insecurity.
6. I hardly ever watch TV and I feel kind of guilty about that.
7. I prefer to listen rather than talk. But I'm getting better about talking!
8. Even the days of darkest feelings are better than a few minutes devoid of feelings at all.
9. I am fascinated by and thankful for serendipity, but I don't count on it.
10. I love true humility in certain people who have achieved greatness.
11. I love swaggering arrogance in certain young people who have yet to achieve all they eventually will (see McLovin from the movie SuperBad).
12. It is easier for me to express affection in Spanish than it is in English.
13. Although I was skeptically aloof at first, within 30 seconds of my first and only visit, I was swept away by the magic of Disneyland.
14. The voices of Leonard Cohen, Joan Baez and James Taylor have the power to stop me in my tracks and send me instantly on a multi-sensory trip back in time.
15. You'd have to do something reallyreallyreally bad for me to not forgive you.
16. I watch for the reactions of the people I've cooked for as they take their first bite.
17. I treasure "I voted" stickers as the manifestations of an almost sacred right/rite.
18. Sometimes I think my MacBook has a soul.
19. I've forgotten the art of uni-tasking: I'm writing this, reading Monsiváis, doing laundry and playing with the dogs.
20. I heart hearts.
21. Religion, politics or Ford vs. Chevy are discussions I try to avoid around people with whom I want to stay friends.
22. I have a small collection of Homies.
23. I like cities. A lot.
24. At times when I least expect it and most need it a rush of "love thy neighbor" (and thy neighbor's neighbor) floods my heart.
25. 25 things are too many. And I'm not "tagging" anyone because it's invasive, because some of you may not like it, and because even if I did tag I wouldn't want to tag only 25 of you, potentially causing the 116 others to feel left out.
28 January, 2009
It seemed to fall so slowly and deliberately.
27 January, 2009
Walking contradiction
He scoff-snorted as he cut in front of me on the crowded sidewalk and his eyes reflected annoyance that I couldn't walk any faster than that in those ridiculous shoes coupled with appreciation of how they made my legs look.
25 January, 2009
I've reconsidered my frustration; maybe it's a good thing that comments made with "Track Changes" don't show up on the printed page.
They're all so valuable, exactly what I need, designed just for me to help me strengthen my words, paragraphs, pages...but they're a bit softer-hitting on the screen (in soft blue) than they'd be on the page.
24 January, 2009
Más vale tarde que nunca.
Quizás...(y digo quizás por no querer cancelarlo) ya llegó el anhelado "Día de enero".
Permítete esta auto-serenata.
Permítete esta auto-serenata.
21 January, 2009
I was secretly chagrined that she'd suspected...
...but I feigned outrage upon hearing her speculate that due to the customary absence of milk in my fridge, I'd be serving a mixture of water and Half & Half.
20 January, 2009
I may have backed up traffic 5 cars deep in three directions at the crosswalk,
but at least I was wearing cute shoes that the drivers could look at as I passed in front of them.
I thought it would have something to do with getting a "do-over"...
On today's run, I picked up a 6 of diamonds. I don't like what cafeastrology.com has to say about its symbolism. But then, I don't put any stock in it at all. What it had to say about the 3 of diamonds wasn't really accurate either. Although...I did have a strange feeling that I'd been offensive of off-putting and just now iTunes cued up the song "Every Ship Must Sail Away".
You dealt the Six of Diamonds!
It is all too easy to have misunderstandings when the 6 of diamonds is a significator. You may be encountering relationship problems, arguments, and opposition for now. This card is a card of separation, but it doesn't always last. In fact, reconciliation is very possible.
Today started out rife with the promise of do-overs on the national and personal levels. I await their fruition.
But as the day progressed, and even now I find myself repeating, do-overs! Not repeats!
17 January, 2009
"'One man's loss is another man's gain'?", he responded with an uncanny mix of summary and foreshadowing.
My top student had raised his hand to answer yesterday's question, "¿Qué sería un ejemplo de un dicho o un refrán? Si no sabes uno en español, dinos en inglés."
After class I walked geometrically across the Quad on the diagonal and at one point I put my left hand in its corresponding pocket. The ten-dollar bill I'd found on the run earlier was still there. And to think I had hesitated to go out in the first place!
I'd had a litany of excuses in mind. I really should read a bit more. I needed extra time to get ready because I wanted to dress a little nicer for my lunch date. I should play with the dogs. I needed to go to the bank. My stomach was still a bit churned up. I was sore from Thursday at the ARC, probably more from the weights than from the treadmill*. I looked out the window, felt the warm air and thought, "I'll just do what I can."
In the first 10 minutes I found the money. I hesitated to pick it up. But I did. I looked at all the houses on the street thinking that $10 is kind of a lot to lose for anyone. I imagined myself knocking on doors asking neighbors I don't know if they'd lost some money. It could take forever. And shyness trumped good Samaritanism. I decided to just keep it. Normally I wouldn't remember to put it in the pocket of whatever pants I was wearing, but I wanted to buy lunch for once and thought if he put up a fight, I could brandish it (padded with some $1s), declaring that it was on neither of us, because I'd found a wad.**
Continuing in the extremely pleasant social vein of the week, I ran into several colleagues on my way to the car so naturally and not unexpectedly, I was running late and saw the estimated leave time of 5:15 fading like the sunset I was driving directly into. At home I let the dogs in, fed them, petted them, apologized for having to "go to the store", switched to a bigger bag so I could bring 2666 to read on the BART and hustled out the door.
I found the best parking spot ever at the BART station, but as I rifled through my bag to get my ticket (with $5.40 already on it) out of my wallet, I discovered that my wallet hadn't made the bag switch. Or maybe it had fallen out on the street somewhere. My first thought, irresponsible, was "Menos mal... 2666 is still here, thank God!" Then I thought, "But, shit...how do I get money for another ticket?" I didn't want to call and cancel the date we'd been planning forever. Plus, he was already on Valencia St. waiting. Inexplicably, there was a checkbook in the bag. "BART won't take a check, idiot!" I realized. I jammed my hands in my pockets. ¡SCORE! PH to 16th and Mission couldn't be more than $10.00, could it?
The round-trip ticket was $9.40. And the round trip was very, very good.
*I can't remember the last time I "lifted", but the machines seem to make you lift properly, so I was sore in all the right places. Nor can I remember the last time I was on a treadmill. Oh wait, yes I can. The treadmills at the ARC only let you go for 30 minutes plus a 5-min. cooldown. I cheated the cooldown by overriding the speed. I'd also had to override the speed manually quite a few times, so I don't know how accurate my speed/distance estimate was, but I "calculated" that I might be able to run a 9 1/2-10 minute mile - probably just one, though.
**Though I did gracefully manage to take possession of the check, I didn't use my found money. And to his stern, "This is the last time I permit this." I meekly replied, "I know."
I know the troll is the point, but without it...magical.
After class I walked geometrically across the Quad on the diagonal and at one point I put my left hand in its corresponding pocket. The ten-dollar bill I'd found on the run earlier was still there. And to think I had hesitated to go out in the first place!
I'd had a litany of excuses in mind. I really should read a bit more. I needed extra time to get ready because I wanted to dress a little nicer for my lunch date. I should play with the dogs. I needed to go to the bank. My stomach was still a bit churned up. I was sore from Thursday at the ARC, probably more from the weights than from the treadmill*. I looked out the window, felt the warm air and thought, "I'll just do what I can."
In the first 10 minutes I found the money. I hesitated to pick it up. But I did. I looked at all the houses on the street thinking that $10 is kind of a lot to lose for anyone. I imagined myself knocking on doors asking neighbors I don't know if they'd lost some money. It could take forever. And shyness trumped good Samaritanism. I decided to just keep it. Normally I wouldn't remember to put it in the pocket of whatever pants I was wearing, but I wanted to buy lunch for once and thought if he put up a fight, I could brandish it (padded with some $1s), declaring that it was on neither of us, because I'd found a wad.**
Continuing in the extremely pleasant social vein of the week, I ran into several colleagues on my way to the car so naturally and not unexpectedly, I was running late and saw the estimated leave time of 5:15 fading like the sunset I was driving directly into. At home I let the dogs in, fed them, petted them, apologized for having to "go to the store", switched to a bigger bag so I could bring 2666 to read on the BART and hustled out the door.
I found the best parking spot ever at the BART station, but as I rifled through my bag to get my ticket (with $5.40 already on it) out of my wallet, I discovered that my wallet hadn't made the bag switch. Or maybe it had fallen out on the street somewhere. My first thought, irresponsible, was "Menos mal... 2666 is still here, thank God!" Then I thought, "But, shit...how do I get money for another ticket?" I didn't want to call and cancel the date we'd been planning forever. Plus, he was already on Valencia St. waiting. Inexplicably, there was a checkbook in the bag. "BART won't take a check, idiot!" I realized. I jammed my hands in my pockets. ¡SCORE! PH to 16th and Mission couldn't be more than $10.00, could it?
The round-trip ticket was $9.40. And the round trip was very, very good.
*I can't remember the last time I "lifted", but the machines seem to make you lift properly, so I was sore in all the right places. Nor can I remember the last time I was on a treadmill. Oh wait, yes I can. The treadmills at the ARC only let you go for 30 minutes plus a 5-min. cooldown. I cheated the cooldown by overriding the speed. I'd also had to override the speed manually quite a few times, so I don't know how accurate my speed/distance estimate was, but I "calculated" that I might be able to run a 9 1/2-10 minute mile - probably just one, though.
**Though I did gracefully manage to take possession of the check, I didn't use my found money. And to his stern, "This is the last time I permit this." I meekly replied, "I know."
I know the troll is the point, but without it...magical.
14 January, 2009
Lo demás debe cederles paso.../Everything else should give these right-of-way...
So far this week...the things I don't want erased...
* While walking across and around campus, I've seen and talked to almost everyone I know!
* Among them, those who I've been most wanting to see
* I ran "in spite of..."
* Las promesas de las palabras de "p"
* In the mirror I glimpsed something that seemed to resemble a waistline
* E-mail conversations of, like, 11 and 17 "lines" - and not even work-related!
* "See you tomorrow" plans, Friday plans
* Today I ate only good, healthy food
* The group's bond was strengthened through the exchanges of furtive "wtf" glances across a crowded room
* The still-bright moon and all it illuminated
* While walking across and around campus, I've seen and talked to almost everyone I know!
* Among them, those who I've been most wanting to see
* I ran "in spite of..."
* Las promesas de las palabras de "p"
* In the mirror I glimpsed something that seemed to resemble a waistline
* E-mail conversations of, like, 11 and 17 "lines" - and not even work-related!
* "See you tomorrow" plans, Friday plans
* Today I ate only good, healthy food
* The group's bond was strengthened through the exchanges of furtive "wtf" glances across a crowded room
* The still-bright moon and all it illuminated
12 January, 2009
I couldn't believe we were arguing over which of us was the worst grad student ever.
But since her self-esteem seemed even lower than mine today, I generously conceded that perhaps I was, after all, the second-worst.
11 January, 2009
I usually reserve the "Please-make-it-stop,-I-swear-I'll-never-do-it-again" supplication for the direst of straits.
But today I decided to go for a run fewer than four hours after digesting indigesting a Popeye's 2-pc. combo (with mac 'n cheese side) washed down with Dr. Pepper. At the 35 minutes mark, I felt that the plea seemed almost merited.
Now I remember why I only eat this every 5 years or so...
Now I remember why I only eat this every 5 years or so...
09 January, 2009
"Valerie, a New Year of comfort awaits..." declared the subject line.
A sharp intake of breath, "¿¡Really!?" Even though the sender was only onlypajamas.com, I wanted so much for it to be true that I clicked it open, if only to avoid rejecting even this most dubious scrap of symbolism.
08 January, 2009
"Yeah, so why are you here?" she asked me when the question had been come around full-circle.
My professor's emphasis on the verb indicating my presence wasn't mean, nor did it mean she didn't want me there. And it was a logical question. I am finished with my required courses. Last year I couldn't wait to be at the point where, theoretically, I should be dedicating every possible moment to preparing my reading list and writing a proposal for my dissertation, not taking more seminars. But, ¿how could I not take this one on La crónica actual en México?
Since I was seated at the 11:00 position, I'd had a lot of time to think about what I'd say during Circle Time, which in my world includes stating briefly why we're interested in taking in the seminars we're enrolled in.
And later it occurred to me...If he could list among his many attractions to the seminar's material the possible strengthening of the connection with a Polish girlfriend by way of reading Poniatowska, certainly I could have declared more of my true feelings. I might have said that a glance at the syllabus made my academic heart skip a beat. Or that I suddenly knew that I couldn't live without it. Or something more accurately reflecting my sentiments...the academic equivalent, if you will, of a drunken "take me back" serenade con todo y mariachi.
Since I was seated at the 11:00 position, I'd had a lot of time to think about what I'd say during Circle Time, which in my world includes stating briefly why we're interested in taking in the seminars we're enrolled in.
And later it occurred to me...If he could list among his many attractions to the seminar's material the possible strengthening of the connection with a Polish girlfriend by way of reading Poniatowska, certainly I could have declared more of my true feelings. I might have said that a glance at the syllabus made my academic heart skip a beat. Or that I suddenly knew that I couldn't live without it. Or something more accurately reflecting my sentiments...the academic equivalent, if you will, of a drunken "take me back" serenade con todo y mariachi.
06 January, 2009
OK, I feel slightly bad about that last one...
As we all know, I can almost always say something nice.
It's a huge character flaw.
It's a huge character flaw.
It seems a shame to waste a day of freshly shaved legs...
My AM dilemma should be: "Which class should I take to get my last 4 academic units?" However, I stand here blogging about whether I should wear pants that will cover up that reallyreally dark bruise on my inner calf or wear a skirt and display it proudly, bragging about how I got that bruise in a masterful display of poor pole planting (lack of) technique.
No, no pic. Ever.
No, no pic. Ever.
05 January, 2009
I seem like the type who'd eat more when I'm mildly upset...
...but I adopt an attitude of perverse optimism in finding the silver lining behind nerves, worry and those icky little inklings, perceptions and premonitions. They can be great diet aids!
03 January, 2009
16 Random Things
One of the Facebook memes circulating recently asked its recipients to list 16 things they've learned or facts about themselves. I participated and, in lieu of an original post, I reproduce my response here, including my on-my-high-horse opinions on "tagging" people. It wasn't too hard to come up with 16 things, but I was conscious of wanting to keep it as concise as possible...
16 ReallyReally Random Things... As per Shannon...vía Tim
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Monday, December 29, 2008 at 11:28pm | Edit Note | Delete
In original message
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you
From Val: I love this activity and have loved reading all the responses! Thanks, Shannon! But... I'm going to break the tagging rule and not tag 16 people for a couple of reasons. First, I think everyone has already been tagged! Also I don't really tag people not knowing your privacy settings and I'm not really sure why the tagging is necessary because if you respond, even in a separatenote, I'll see it on the feed...But of course I'd love for everyone to respond to this! I also really do want to know more about you. :)
I've left the original instructions, above, for anyone who wants to follow them.
1. I am a late adopter of things like e-mail, cell phones, iTunes, Facebook and laptop computers but have now embraced them with a convert's zeal.
2. I prefer plains and ocean landscapes.
3. I've learned that no matter how much I learn, there are things I'll never learn.
4. If I don't ask you a lot of questions, it doesn't mean I'm not interested in you, it means I'm respecting your privacy.
5. I like the wind.
6. For about a year and a half I've been running/jogging and I don't often like to talk about it.
7. My family is very small and I love them very much.
8. I like taking those internet personality quizzes.
9. Facebook has been invaluable for me as an introvert and I love being in touch with everyone.
10. I prefer shopping in thrift stores, I have better luck finding things that "grab me". And yes, I'll admit I'm cheap when it comes to me, but I'd be generous with you.
11. Love is quite often unavoidable, uncontrollable and unrelenting.
12. I can cook.
13. Until I went to college I was constantly reading for pleasure. Now I have a hard time doing that and I miss it.
12. I don't eat cookies, candies, etc. with faces on them...but if you and I were to share some and you bit the head off for me, I'd eat the rest.
13. Every person has her/his own intelligence and no single type of intelligence is superior to the others.
14. Washing dishes is my favorite chore.
15. It is hard for me to set goals, but I guess I have a few - keep running, pass my qualifying exams and finish this grad school program.
16. I don't want to color my hair.
16 ReallyReally Random Things... As per Shannon...vía Tim
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Monday, December 29, 2008 at 11:28pm | Edit Note | Delete
In original message
Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 16 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 16 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you
From Val: I love this activity and have loved reading all the responses! Thanks, Shannon! But... I'm going to break the tagging rule and not tag 16 people for a couple of reasons. First, I think everyone has already been tagged! Also I don't really tag people not knowing your privacy settings and I'm not really sure why the tagging is necessary because if you respond, even in a separatenote, I'll see it on the feed...But of course I'd love for everyone to respond to this! I also really do want to know more about you. :)
I've left the original instructions, above, for anyone who wants to follow them.
1. I am a late adopter of things like e-mail, cell phones, iTunes, Facebook and laptop computers but have now embraced them with a convert's zeal.
2. I prefer plains and ocean landscapes.
3. I've learned that no matter how much I learn, there are things I'll never learn.
4. If I don't ask you a lot of questions, it doesn't mean I'm not interested in you, it means I'm respecting your privacy.
5. I like the wind.
6. For about a year and a half I've been running/jogging and I don't often like to talk about it.
7. My family is very small and I love them very much.
8. I like taking those internet personality quizzes.
9. Facebook has been invaluable for me as an introvert and I love being in touch with everyone.
10. I prefer shopping in thrift stores, I have better luck finding things that "grab me". And yes, I'll admit I'm cheap when it comes to me, but I'd be generous with you.
11. Love is quite often unavoidable, uncontrollable and unrelenting.
12. I can cook.
13. Until I went to college I was constantly reading for pleasure. Now I have a hard time doing that and I miss it.
12. I don't eat cookies, candies, etc. with faces on them...but if you and I were to share some and you bit the head off for me, I'd eat the rest.
13. Every person has her/his own intelligence and no single type of intelligence is superior to the others.
14. Washing dishes is my favorite chore.
15. It is hard for me to set goals, but I guess I have a few - keep running, pass my qualifying exams and finish this grad school program.
16. I don't want to color my hair.
02 January, 2009
01 January, 2009
Resolved that: It's better not to make New Year's resolutions.
Resolutions for 2009
1. Watch more TV. It's what we're paying for! But then, the package also includes phone and internet connection and the connection is really what's more important, so maybe it's OK not to watch it...
2. Use above-mentioned connection to keep in better touch with friends and family. But a call on the cell phone or a text message is really more of an intimate, immediate contact.
3. Don't text, call and leave a proper message or actually talk. But texting is so much less intrusive.
1. Watch more TV. It's what we're paying for! But then, the package also includes phone and internet connection and the connection is really what's more important, so maybe it's OK not to watch it...
2. Use above-mentioned connection to keep in better touch with friends and family. But a call on the cell phone or a text message is really more of an intimate, immediate contact.
3. Don't text, call and leave a proper message or actually talk. But texting is so much less intrusive.
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