Inspired by the scars on my hand from an encounter with my friend's overly playful cat, I decided to share "The Mean Kitty" song. Cat owners and lovers will probably find themselves nodding in bemused agreement, but regardless, it's an amusing rap and video.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
More crafty goodness
It's fitting that the last post was about books, 'cause this one's about bookmarks.
Every reader needs bookmarks.
Never mind that in spite of numerous snarky or flowery or coffee-related bookmarks around the place, I still tend to grab a corner of a magazine page or a piece of napkin to mark the place in whichever of any given five books I happen to be reading. Nooooo, if you're the hoarding type like me, it's not enough to have said plethora of bookmarks. If you're the hoarding type and the crafty type and the type who's just this short of casting aside current crochet projects in a fit of boredom, your next logical step is to look up patterns to make more bookmarks.
And, if you're the crafty, hoarding, attention-challenged, always-in-search-of-a-new-diversion type, you will not be content to print off just one pattern. Or two patterns. Or even patterns for completely different projects that you will keep in mind for when there happens to be a really good yarn sale. However, your mission for the afternoon is bookmarks, and you eventually find, out of the scores of patterns on teh interwebs, a few that pique your interest and look both elegant and not overly time-consuming.
I only made one today. Second is in the works. But isn't this one purty?
I got the pattern here, if anyone reading this is into crocheting. There seemed to be a couple little glitches to the pattern, but I figured how it was supposed to go.
(No, this won't turn into a craft blog, I promise. It's just a phase.)
Every reader needs bookmarks.
Never mind that in spite of numerous snarky or flowery or coffee-related bookmarks around the place, I still tend to grab a corner of a magazine page or a piece of napkin to mark the place in whichever of any given five books I happen to be reading. Nooooo, if you're the hoarding type like me, it's not enough to have said plethora of bookmarks. If you're the hoarding type and the crafty type and the type who's just this short of casting aside current crochet projects in a fit of boredom, your next logical step is to look up patterns to make more bookmarks.
And, if you're the crafty, hoarding, attention-challenged, always-in-search-of-a-new-diversion type, you will not be content to print off just one pattern. Or two patterns. Or even patterns for completely different projects that you will keep in mind for when there happens to be a really good yarn sale. However, your mission for the afternoon is bookmarks, and you eventually find, out of the scores of patterns on teh interwebs, a few that pique your interest and look both elegant and not overly time-consuming.
I only made one today. Second is in the works. But isn't this one purty?
I got the pattern here, if anyone reading this is into crocheting. There seemed to be a couple little glitches to the pattern, but I figured how it was supposed to go.(No, this won't turn into a craft blog, I promise. It's just a phase.)
More books
Inspired by a temporary (I hope) writing slump and a friend's new book review blog...
Five books I've read since the last reading post:
5. New Sudden Fiction: Short-Short Stories from America and Beyond. I just finished this one tonight, about a month after I started it. If you're interested in contemporary short fiction, this is a good starting place--it's accessible, and I was only rarely tempted to skip a story. When I've read other selections of short stories, they sometimes felt too abrupt, but these stories are paced well and feel complete.
4. Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil, Deborah Rodriguez. I wouldn't have picked up this book if I hadn't heard the author speaking at a literary festival I went to. I was impressed with the good humor and (com)passion with which she spoke about Afghanistan, where she initially went to do humanitarian work and ended up opening a beauty school and finding a sisterhood within its wall. The book's not an in-depth study of the culture (indeed, her cultural blunders are a frequent motif), nor is it particularly literary. It is, however, heartfelt. It provides a human face beyond the news images of burkas and AK-47s.
3. Tree By Leaf, Cynthia Voigt. Sometimes it just doesn't work so well to try and visit authors favored in one's adolescence. That's all.
2. Re-Birth (or The Chrysalids), John Wyndham. Sci fi rec from my boss. Classic motif of the society suspicious of mutation, with religious fundamentalism and evolution tossed in for good measure. (No, it's not about my home state, Kansas.) Some cataclysm, likely nuclear, has set society back, and mistrust of difference has been codified into religion, with any aberration considered a Blasphemy against God Himself to be banished to the wild Fringe. Against this backdrop, the protagonist has discovered he has the ability to communicate telepathically, a difference that naturally incurs the persecution of both him and the handful of others who also have the ability. In their flight, they learn more about the people in the Fringe and the people from further beyond, who each present a different definition of what it means to be in God's image, i.e. normal. Perhaps it was the young characters and the coming-of-age aspect, but this had the feel of YA fiction. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, just an observation.
1. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert Heinlein. Another rec from my boss. This one takes place in 2075 (I'm pretty sure), when the moon has, much like Australia, been colonized initially as a penal colony. Like America, though, the "Loonies" have started to bristle beneath the colonial yoke. Protagonist Man, a computer engineer, finds himself drawn into planning a revolution along with firebrand revolutionary Wyoming (who, in typical fashion, starts out as a strong and independent woman and ends up taking a back seat...), a has-been professor, and a sentient computer with a sense of humor, Mike. The politics are intricate, the society's customs fascinating, the technology impressive (seriously, the NSA has nothing on Mike's capabilities), and the humor dry ("Never explain computers to laymen," Man says at one point, "Easier to explain sex to a virgin."). In typical English-major fashion, I was intrigued by the protagonist's syntax. In short, there's a little something for every reader in this one, although I will give a heads-up: this was, for whatever reason, a time-consuming read.
----------------
Now playing: The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Guns for Everyone
via FoxyTunes
Five books I've read since the last reading post:
5. New Sudden Fiction: Short-Short Stories from America and Beyond. I just finished this one tonight, about a month after I started it. If you're interested in contemporary short fiction, this is a good starting place--it's accessible, and I was only rarely tempted to skip a story. When I've read other selections of short stories, they sometimes felt too abrupt, but these stories are paced well and feel complete.
4. Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil, Deborah Rodriguez. I wouldn't have picked up this book if I hadn't heard the author speaking at a literary festival I went to. I was impressed with the good humor and (com)passion with which she spoke about Afghanistan, where she initially went to do humanitarian work and ended up opening a beauty school and finding a sisterhood within its wall. The book's not an in-depth study of the culture (indeed, her cultural blunders are a frequent motif), nor is it particularly literary. It is, however, heartfelt. It provides a human face beyond the news images of burkas and AK-47s.
3. Tree By Leaf, Cynthia Voigt. Sometimes it just doesn't work so well to try and visit authors favored in one's adolescence. That's all.
2. Re-Birth (or The Chrysalids), John Wyndham. Sci fi rec from my boss. Classic motif of the society suspicious of mutation, with religious fundamentalism and evolution tossed in for good measure. (No, it's not about my home state, Kansas.) Some cataclysm, likely nuclear, has set society back, and mistrust of difference has been codified into religion, with any aberration considered a Blasphemy against God Himself to be banished to the wild Fringe. Against this backdrop, the protagonist has discovered he has the ability to communicate telepathically, a difference that naturally incurs the persecution of both him and the handful of others who also have the ability. In their flight, they learn more about the people in the Fringe and the people from further beyond, who each present a different definition of what it means to be in God's image, i.e. normal. Perhaps it was the young characters and the coming-of-age aspect, but this had the feel of YA fiction. Not that it's necessarily a bad thing, just an observation.
1. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert Heinlein. Another rec from my boss. This one takes place in 2075 (I'm pretty sure), when the moon has, much like Australia, been colonized initially as a penal colony. Like America, though, the "Loonies" have started to bristle beneath the colonial yoke. Protagonist Man, a computer engineer, finds himself drawn into planning a revolution along with firebrand revolutionary Wyoming (who, in typical fashion, starts out as a strong and independent woman and ends up taking a back seat...), a has-been professor, and a sentient computer with a sense of humor, Mike. The politics are intricate, the society's customs fascinating, the technology impressive (seriously, the NSA has nothing on Mike's capabilities), and the humor dry ("Never explain computers to laymen," Man says at one point, "Easier to explain sex to a virgin."). In typical English-major fashion, I was intrigued by the protagonist's syntax. In short, there's a little something for every reader in this one, although I will give a heads-up: this was, for whatever reason, a time-consuming read.
----------------
Now playing: The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Guns for Everyone
via FoxyTunes
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Crafty
Because I am in the mood to show off, I'll post pictures of one of my current (and most ambitious) projects. Previously, the biggest thing I've crocheted was my cape, which hits my shins and has about a 5-foot width by the bottom. My other projects were smaller things--baby blankets (the great thing about them is that I can start out with no intended recipient, and someone will be preggers by the time they're done), scarves (small, portable, funky yarns, and fast to work up), potholders and dishcloths (simple and functional, but boring), a recycled plastic bag tote (great way to recycle and start conversation, but harder on the hands)... I think that about covers it all. I'm only talking about crochet projects here.
This project, though, is more ambitious.
I'm making a blanket for a friend who's getting hitched this summer (one of 'em, anyway... must be something in the water). I figure the colors are common enough in decorating for it to be both functional and perhaps even fit with whatever decor they may have.
A closer shot; sorry for not thinking in putting a beige blanket against a beige couch. Oh well. Heh. View the pic in full size and you can see the few cat hairs my cat contributed, and I believe, one of mine.
I think I'm about 20 rows from being done with the thing. Lucky for me it's still cool enough in the evenings, 'cause this sucker's warm.
Next on the agenda: a video tape tote bag (my co-workers thought I was joking about finally putting those exercise tapes to use), a latch hook rug, learning to tat, and if I get desperate, I can always pull out the cross stitch project that I haven't completed in over 10 years...
----------------
Now playing: Cursive - Bad Sects
via FoxyTunes
This project, though, is more ambitious.
I'm making a blanket for a friend who's getting hitched this summer (one of 'em, anyway... must be something in the water). I figure the colors are common enough in decorating for it to be both functional and perhaps even fit with whatever decor they may have.A closer shot; sorry for not thinking in putting a beige blanket against a beige couch. Oh well. Heh. View the pic in full size and you can see the few cat hairs my cat contributed, and I believe, one of mine.
I think I'm about 20 rows from being done with the thing. Lucky for me it's still cool enough in the evenings, 'cause this sucker's warm.Next on the agenda: a video tape tote bag (my co-workers thought I was joking about finally putting those exercise tapes to use), a latch hook rug, learning to tat, and if I get desperate, I can always pull out the cross stitch project that I haven't completed in over 10 years...
----------------
Now playing: Cursive - Bad Sects
via FoxyTunes
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Petticoats all a-flutter
Nature can be shameless in a classy sort of way.----------------
Now playing: Leftöver Crack - Soon We'll Be Dead w/World/Inferno Friendship Society
via FoxyTunes
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Keeping pace with the times
When the supervisor of the writing center initially mentioned the prospect of online tutoring, I think there was talk of revolt amongst several of the more outspoken tutors. Only one of them left, though, and that was due to a combination of factors. The others have grudgingly accepted that this sort of thing is inevitable.
This spring, we made online tutoring available to a select few classes just to gauge interest and feasibility. A few bites, but no huge rush. Online will continue to be available for intersession (intense, five-day a week, two-week) courses and the summer semester. I was the only one to agree to do online tutoring for at least the intersession period. How hard can it be? It's the sort of thing I've done as faculty--look at a draft of an essay, point out what works, and address a few broad areas that still need work. The Internet is a medium I'm very comfortable with. And best of all, it means no 8:00 a.m. conferences. Sweet.
Application? I've done one this evening for a speech class (it's the first day, so this student is really on top of things). In some ways, it is easier--I can re-read it a few more times, think out what I want to say, and revise it for clarity. As long as I'm within the 24-hour window, I can do it at my convenience.
That said, I noticed a couple draw-backs. For one thing, I can't see the student's face--I can't tell if I lost him/her at the second sentence. I generally ask throughout a face-to-face conference if what I'm saying makes sense; no use explaining how to pedal a bike if someone's stuck on balance. Short of welcoming further questions, I can't get that feedback, and it certainly isn't in real time. Another shortcoming is the overall lack of physical presence--I can't pick up a scrap piece of paper to doodle a rough diagram for organization or grab a handout. Maybe I'll talk to my supervisor about making the handouts available on Blackboard so we tutors can access them remotely and send on to students as needed. Finally, it puts me as a tutor in a more directive role--more teacher than "peer" tutor. It's less give and take, more my saying "this is what you should do" instead of "here's one way to do this. Did you see how it works? Now let's see what you've got."
At present, the way I spelled them out, the negatives seem more prominent. I'm not against online tutoring; in time, I think students will come to expect such services to be available online, and we should be able to provide. I just don't think online can (or should) fully replace face-to-face. Indeed, there are some conferences, like brainstorming/coming up with topics conferences, I just can't see taking place online, short of some sort of instant messaging capability. That might be one way of working around the limitations of time lapsed communication--an imperfect one, but a start.
----------------
Now playing: Death Cab for Cutie - Grapevine Fires
via FoxyTunes
This spring, we made online tutoring available to a select few classes just to gauge interest and feasibility. A few bites, but no huge rush. Online will continue to be available for intersession (intense, five-day a week, two-week) courses and the summer semester. I was the only one to agree to do online tutoring for at least the intersession period. How hard can it be? It's the sort of thing I've done as faculty--look at a draft of an essay, point out what works, and address a few broad areas that still need work. The Internet is a medium I'm very comfortable with. And best of all, it means no 8:00 a.m. conferences. Sweet.
Application? I've done one this evening for a speech class (it's the first day, so this student is really on top of things). In some ways, it is easier--I can re-read it a few more times, think out what I want to say, and revise it for clarity. As long as I'm within the 24-hour window, I can do it at my convenience.
That said, I noticed a couple draw-backs. For one thing, I can't see the student's face--I can't tell if I lost him/her at the second sentence. I generally ask throughout a face-to-face conference if what I'm saying makes sense; no use explaining how to pedal a bike if someone's stuck on balance. Short of welcoming further questions, I can't get that feedback, and it certainly isn't in real time. Another shortcoming is the overall lack of physical presence--I can't pick up a scrap piece of paper to doodle a rough diagram for organization or grab a handout. Maybe I'll talk to my supervisor about making the handouts available on Blackboard so we tutors can access them remotely and send on to students as needed. Finally, it puts me as a tutor in a more directive role--more teacher than "peer" tutor. It's less give and take, more my saying "this is what you should do" instead of "here's one way to do this. Did you see how it works? Now let's see what you've got."
At present, the way I spelled them out, the negatives seem more prominent. I'm not against online tutoring; in time, I think students will come to expect such services to be available online, and we should be able to provide. I just don't think online can (or should) fully replace face-to-face. Indeed, there are some conferences, like brainstorming/coming up with topics conferences, I just can't see taking place online, short of some sort of instant messaging capability. That might be one way of working around the limitations of time lapsed communication--an imperfect one, but a start.
----------------
Now playing: Death Cab for Cutie - Grapevine Fires
via FoxyTunes
Friday, May 16, 2008
Softcore porn for housewives
Hey, did I get your attention with that subject line?
I tried reading a paperback romance the other day. Previously, I've only flipped through them, snickering at the poor dialogue and wondering how many synonyms for "heat" the author was able to find. I'm just not the demographic those novels--to use the word loosely--are meant for. They're meant for housewives who feel neglected and/or under-appreciated, if the wish fulfillment is any indicator. Relationships always work out, in spite of any seemingly insurmountable problems or Tragic Pasts. It's all about her--there's so much licking and teasing and fondling going on (or down?), it's a wonder they ever consummate their burning, burning love, but when they do, oh, oh, it's so worth it. Babies are always wanted and usually come along with the picket fence and a wedding ring. And goodness, but the women always have cute clothes to wear.
A few notes on this particular book (title and author omitted out respect), which I quit reading after about 100 torturous pages and instead flipped through:
I tried reading a paperback romance the other day. Previously, I've only flipped through them, snickering at the poor dialogue and wondering how many synonyms for "heat" the author was able to find. I'm just not the demographic those novels--to use the word loosely--are meant for. They're meant for housewives who feel neglected and/or under-appreciated, if the wish fulfillment is any indicator. Relationships always work out, in spite of any seemingly insurmountable problems or Tragic Pasts. It's all about her--there's so much licking and teasing and fondling going on (or down?), it's a wonder they ever consummate their burning, burning love, but when they do, oh, oh, it's so worth it. Babies are always wanted and usually come along with the picket fence and a wedding ring. And goodness, but the women always have cute clothes to wear.
A few notes on this particular book (title and author omitted out respect), which I quit reading after about 100 torturous pages and instead flipped through:
- Do we really still use the word "loins" in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries? Moreover, do we do so when mentally flashing back to particular moments?
- Blue eyes are always piercing in a hero. I dunno, but if I were the protagonist, I'd kinda wish he wore sunglasses more to avoid any Medusa-like occurrences.
- And dude, what's with the chiseled jaw? They're a dime a dozen amongst romance love interests.
- "She wanted desperately to hate this man, but she discovered that a thousand anguished thoughts and four bitter years hadn't erased him from her savagely beating heart."
- Do blondes flip their "golden locks" around more than women with other colors of hair? 'Cause this one sure seems to do a lot of head tossing.
- Yay for adverbs. They don't just "say" anything; they say things "icily" and "calmly" and "dangerously" and "seductively," sometimes all in rapid succession.
- "She wasn't still in love with Chandler: she couldn't still be that big a fool." Um, actually...
- Unnecessary verbiage: depending on the body parts involved, "sensually licked" hardly needs to be stated.
- Yeah, it really turns me on, too, when a guy threatens to "break [my] pretty little neck." Oooh, you manly, manly, icy-eyed stud.
- "Callie felt the flames of passion begin to burn low in the most feminine parts of her body." Woo-ee, it's starting to heat up.
- "Claimed her?" What, like a homestead?
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