Did you know that Nabokov lived in my apartment building? I like to think he lived in my apartment, but who can say. This weekend, coincidentally, we got Kubrick's Lolita through Netflix. Quite a good interpretation of the book (the fact that Nabakov wrote the screenplay probably helps). We also watched The Italian Job. That wasn't bad...a bit formulaic, but who can escape that these days...especially with a remake?
So there was more looking at beds this weekend, more dessert, and we even went briefly to see a band. The "briefly" has to do with the fact that the band wasn't really good. In fact, they weren't a band -- just a bunch of guys playing together. Unfortunate.
In the meantime, I'm working on a directing scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" -- I remember seeing a version of that at Brandeis back in high school. I think that there were only four actors -- maybe six? Anyway, I have four actors for my little scene. I'm looking forward to it.

Shame on me. I missed my weekly Monday post. Ahh...so two weeks from this Friday we're closing on the house. How excited am I? Pretty damn excited.
This past weekend we looked at beds for the house. Did you know we still sleep on a futon? And did you know that we've been sleeping on this futon for 6-7 years? Now, I know that futons are great, and this one is great. But folks, it's time for a bed. Unfortunately, the bed we liked best is the same bed that my parents have. It's a dark wood sleigh bed, but it doesn't have a sleigh bed footboard. If we end up getting the same one, it won't look the same because we'll be getting a Queen to their King.
I also had a massage last weekend. It was fantastic. Mike enjoyed his too, until his knee started hurting like crazy the day after. Someone at work told him: "Sometimes tense muscles are all that's holding a knee together." Not a good sign.
In other news, I slept a lot and am less stressed. I'm enjoying my reading and my work. I'm also enjoying drinking some delicious Virgil's rootbeer which I bought as a treat. yum.

The play opened to much success. I saw it last Wednesday and I'll be seeing it again this Thursday. I can't wait. Given that it's a work in progress and some of the actors were still on book last performance (they were given new scenes), I look forward to see how things have progressed.

In other news, my Ubu piece goes up this Wednesday. I was hoping for more time for run-throughs, but what can I do? I guess I can only work with the time I'm given. Ubu is fun; if only I hadn't lost that actor part way through, I wouldn't have had to reconceptualize everything. C'est la vie.

And...
Ahhh! It's almost the end of February! Where did it all go?

P.S. I'm getting a massage this Saturday. Mike and I are finally cashing in on our Christmas gifts to one another. MMMMMMMMMMMMM. Masssssssssssssssaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggee.

Weird weekend. My Dad had to go to the hospital after passing out onto the tile floor of the bathroom because of stomach flu. He's out now and feeling OK, but I didn't find out that he was there until Sunday at 1:00a.m. Sometimes it's tough to be far away...

Always a need to be more narcissistic (and a copy cat, I may add)...
1. What time did you get up this morning? 7:30 and snooze once (sometimes twice)
2. Diamonds or pearls? yes
3. What was the last film you saw at the Cinema? I think it was the Aviator (copycat). I somewhat liked the film and Mike didn't like it at all, which is odd b/c we usually like the same films.
4. What is your favorite TV show? TV? What?
5. What did you have for breakfast? A blueberry muffin from College Town Bagels. All hail College Town Bagels.
6. What is your middle name? Leonard
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Hmmm...ice cream?
8. What foods do you dislike? I don't like tomatoes, and I definitely do not like mustard.
9. What kind of car do you drive? 99 Black Subaru Impreza Sport Outback.
10. Favorite Sandwich? Chicken salad if the chicken salad's really good. Pancho Villa at CTB.
11. What characteristic do you despise? ignorance.
12. Favorite item of clothing? socks -- I'd have to agree with Lisa here, if I were to pick a favorite.
13. If you could go anywhere in the world for a holiday where would you go? Italy
14. What color is your bathroom? White, with green towels, bathmat, and green & yellow shower curtain.
15. Favorite brand of clothing? Sigh. J.Crew. I try not to be a capitalist, I really do.
16. Where would you like to retire? I'm not sure I'd like to retire. But if I did, somewhere close to grandchildren I hope.
17. Favorite time of the day? Naptime.
18. What was your most memorable birthday? When I was really young, my parents surprised me with a birthday party at McDonald's. I couldn't believe it! And I still remember it!
19. Where were you born? Beth Israel Hospital - Boston.
20. Favorite sport to watch? BASEBALL.
21. What are you wearing right now? green corduroys, a blue button down shirt, and a gray cotton sweater.
22. What star sign are you? Virgo
23. What fabric detergent do you use? Anything free and clear of perfumes and dyes.
24. Pepsi or Coke? Coke. Pepsi tastes green.
25. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Night.
26. What is your shoe size? 7 and 1/2
27. Do you have any pets? not yet...but I've got my eye on some bunnies from the SPCA
28. Any new exciting news you'd like to share with your family and friends? Go Patriots! If only I could have watched the Superbowl...
29. What did you want to be when you were little? an actress.
30. What will you be doing today? class, meet with students, respond to papers, rehearsal for Ubu, rehearsal for Nero, bed.
31. What is your favorite quality about yourself? I'm zany.
32. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? coffee
33. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Steve Zissou.
34. Best compliment you ever got: you're beautiful - the first time Mike said it.
35. Are you superstitious? Very.
36. Favorite thing to cook/make? COOKIES!!!
37. Favorite quote: There's a man running carrying an unattended package! - Andrew Myers
38. Favorite movie: right now, Dr. Strangelove
39. Favorite book: The Theatre and Its Double, Antonin Artaud
40. Hardest lesson ever learned: Rejection is a necessary step on the path to do what you want.
41. Something you would recommend to everyone to do at least once: Go to Ireland.

I'm in the midst of purchasing a house! I'm really excited about it, but boy oh boy, it takes a lot of time. We had the insect inspection. I never realized how close the word insect is to inspect until now when I just typed it. Insect inspect. It's like a tongue twister for your fingers.
Hmmm..let's see. I went to rehearsal this week. Went to class. Taught class. Not much else going on. My life is incredibly busy, quite enjoyable, and yet probably not that exciting for other people to read about. Oh, I did watch part of the movie "Caligula" today as research for the Nero play I'm assistant directing. It's a porno. It tries to pass as a movie, but it's a porno. And I know you think, well, it probably has a lot of nudity and sex. But let me tell you. It has REAL sex shown REAL close. It's a porno.

Things are in full swing now. I've decided on my classes, met once with my students for 156, and I've had a million rehearsals. The rehearsals are great. It's nice to be sitting in on such an intriguing process. Of course, it also means I'm tight for time, but that's the way the cookies crumble. I have to screen Terminator 2 now. More later...

I started rehearsal today, which is exciting, though it means my break is officially over. And you know? I don't think I was ready for that yet. I think I would have preferred another week in Ithaca, where I could experiment with various cookie recipes and impress Mike's coworkers by sending cookies off to work. Well, not that they're impressed, they're just hungry I guess.

In other news, it's snowing here. Snow!!!! Serious snow! And they're actually not plowing. People complain about the plowing here, but wowee, it's not nearly as bad as the plowing in Quincy. I mean, it snowed on my parents street and they never plowed. Here, if all the streets aren't plowed within a couple hours, everyone's pissed. I can't even compare this to Tennessee. I think in Tennessee they just have one plow, and that's why I've never seen it. Oh well, I'm off to make my syllabus for next semester. Exciting! (And no, that's actually not sarcastic -- I really enjoy making syllabii.)

By the way, did you know that WETA workshop is working on The Chronicles of Narnia and that Brian Cox is playing the Lion???

Yes, I know. Long time no blog. But what can I say? I was limited by my parents' computer. It froze often on the internet, and I can't even imagine what would happen if I tried to publish a post. Ever since I added comments, which, I may add, only one person has been nice enough to use, the blog takes forever to publish. Perhaps I should turn them off? Ah, but that would take too much time.

Christmas was great. I received much fabulous clothing from various Santas. Now I must find a place to put it. Mike and I saw three movies: The Aviator, Oceans 12, and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. I loved Zissou. It was fabulous!!!! I want a pair of Zissou Adidas sneakers, but I doubt they make them. Instead, I will have to live with my beautiful new boots, which I will wear with miniskirts on days in Ithaca that are above 30 degrees.

I also went skiing. And I had only one fall, but it was a large one, off a jump. I did a face plant. I guess I shouldn't try really complicated jumps involving benches on my second day back.

"The wind's blowing up a gale today." - Eli Cash, The Royal Tenenbaums

And boy, is it. BRRRR.

Got the grades done.

I neglected to mention...it's fucking freezing here.

So...grades are due tomorrow. And yesterday I got a migraine. So today, or rather tonight, I tried to get into the theatre building using my handy ID access. And guess what? The ID card readers are frozen. Inside my office are 12 student papers and portfolios waiting to be graded. And I must get there early tomorrow to read them. I feel terribly irresponsible, but what am I to do? They're stuck in there, and I'm out here. I called Campus Police, and they laughed at me? What? You want to get in the building...no way! Shit. I hope I'm not fucked.

I figure I'll copy my peers -- or maybe I'm just using this as an excuse to procrastinate...

1. What did you do in 2004 that you'd never done before? I gave a paper at a conference -- 2 actually. It was a frightening, but thankfully, good experience. I also taught a writing seminar! And it was a lot of fun!
2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I'm pretty sure my resolution was to exercise more often. You can bet your butt I kept that through the summer especially. But things started tapering off when I got sick this semester. My plan is to go to a workout class on Thursday, and keep going, dammit!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth? No, not this year -- though two people from college I knew had babies. One is Mike's friend Jenny Cooper, and the other is Steph. Both of their babies are sooooooooooooooooo cute!!!!
4. Did anyone close to you die? No.
5. What countries did you visit? Canada! And that's it. Boy, I got to get back to the whole visiting countries thing! Greece, here I come, maybe!
6. What would you like to have in 2005 that you lacked in 2004? A house, and it very well may happen. If so, party in Ithaca!
7. What date from 2004 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
10/27/04!!!!!!!!!
9. What was your biggest failure? Not keeping up on that exercise thing. Thankfully, I'm sort of sticking to a diet. Oh, how I long for the metabolism I had in college.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury? Massive migraines in the spring. Horrible and close to debilitating. Then my doctor introduced me to Seasonale, and oh, the joys it brings!!!
11. What was the best thing you bought? A deliciously large chair that matches my couch. Oh, and all those pastries at CTB.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration? As always, my friends and family, along with my cute husband. And oh yeah, The Red Sox!
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Ugh! Blah! Puke! I can't even listen to the news anymore. (OK, that's not true, but I do suffer every day).
14. Where did most of your money go? Rent. NOT the musical, the apartment. And, let's see...books, and eating out (for shame!).
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The election. I was so excited, and then....
16. What song will always remind you of 2004? We don't get radio stations in Ithaca because of the gorges. But Mike and I constantly whistle Elle Driver's little tune when she's dressed as the nurse.
17. Compared to this time last year, are you happier or sadder? Happier for the most part. But all hinges on the completion of this paper that I'm avoiding right now.
18. thinner or fatter? I think thinner. Yay! Diet is working! But not as much as I want it too...
19. richer or poorer? I guess richer. I'm saving up for massive debt.
21. What do you wish you'd done less of? Exercising (including yoga) and vacationing.
22. How will you be spending Christmas? This year is the first year where we are not splitting Christmas Eve and Christmas Day between families. We'll be at my parents for both, and I look forward to it.
23. Did you fall in love in 2004? Yes, of course. More and more in love each year. I don't care if it's cheesy!
24. Any one night stands? Ha!
25. What was your favorite TV program? Well, I don't have TV, but I am enjoying re-runs of the Simpsons on DVD. And whenever Mike and I get to a TV, we watch Futurama and Conan O'Brien.
26. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Nope.
27. What was the best book you read? Hmmmm...I read The Count of Monte Christo. That's pretty damn good. So is Vonnegut's Sirens of Titan.
29. What did you want and get? Two conference presentations! A new chair!
30. What did you want and not get? A rug for the living room, but now I'm waiting until after I get a house...if I get a house.
31. What was your favorite film of this year? It will either be the Extending Edition of The Return of the King, or it will be Life Aquatic.
32. What did you do on your birthday? We went out to dinner at Zaza's. Zaza's is delicious. Otherwise, I worked my bummy off.
33. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? I agree with Lisa -- more vacations!
34. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2004?Comfort and warmth.
35. What kept you sane? Acting and directing. Directing class drove me a bit insane at the end, but still that insanity kept me sane, so it all works out.
36. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Johnny Deep gets hotter every year. How does that happen?
37. What political issue stirred you the most? The election -- people who are one issue voters, or who vote because they enjoy discriminating against people! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....
38. Who did you miss? I miss my friends and family that don't live in central NY. I guess that's most everyone!
39. Who was the best new person you met? Boy, how can you tell in just a year's time? Uhhhhhhhhhh...I can't decide. I think this question is for people who met the love of their life this year.
40. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2004. Don't try to adapt Tolkien for the theatre. It's a bad idea.
41. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Imagine Elle Driver whistling . . .

All I have to say is that I've been listening to techno from the people upstairs. At first, they were just playing really bad college rock, and that's rough, but techno? All I can hear is the beat, which occasionally changes. Oh, Ella Fitzgerald, thank you for saving me from this horror.

Hi,

The people upstairs from me play godawful music. I probably haven't noticed it by now because I've hardly been at home at all this semester, and if I have, it's mostly been in the mornings. But the music they play. It's terrible. And now that I'm stuck at home writing a paper, it's even more awful. Bless the person who invented headphones.

-me

MC -- I'm glad you're back. It's delightful.

I know this is cheesy. But I'm going to cry when I watch the last documentaries from Lord of the Rings. I just watched the 6 minute preview of the extended edition and began to cry. I know. Big ball of cheese.

Well, I made it through the last week of classes. Thank God! Now I just have to make it through another two weeks of paper writing fun. I think today I'll try to get everything else finished first -- like my directing work, and my grading for directing. Then, I can pursue the paper with less interruption.

In other news, I've been wasting time on the internet looking at houses. I need to stop! Because I can't buy the houses right now. Silly Megan.

On the other hand, I shouldn't complain. If the worst thing about the conference was the hotel, I guess things went pretty well...right?

If you ever go to Vegas, DON'T stay at the Riviera. It sucked. Mike and I moved to the Aladdin Saturday night. For a Saturday night, it was almost twice as expensive, but well worth it. In fact, if you do go to Vegas, I recommend getting a room over Orbitz, Expedia, or Yahoo Travel. And, if you are going for an entire week, make two separate reservations: one for Monday through Thursday and another for Friday and Saturday. You might even try to make three separate reservations. But you'll get the cheapest rate if you at first don't include the weekends. Hell, you can probably even get a chance to stay at the Venetian. Also, you might look into trips on those sites. Often, they'll have a deal on airfare. And more importantly, if you go to Vegas, no matter how expensive it is, go see "O." No really, "O" was fantastic -- it was one of the best pieces of theatre I've ever seen. Yes, it was $150 per ticket, but I can hardly think of a better way to spend that money.
The conference itself went well. I enjoyed my panel. I would have like to arrive there on Wednesday or earlier on Thursday, but c'est la vie, that didn't happen.
And as for gambling, Mike and I lost $12 between us. That's about all this stingy mofo can stand.

VEGAS BABY, HERE I COME!

So as wonderful as that sounds, I'll be going to a conference in Vegas on Thursday, and I am a bit nervous about it. It's one of those situations where I have to be charming, and smart all the time. I think the best way to do that is to drink as much free wine at the reception as I can. Don't you agree?

Oh, and didn't I post about Powell resigning. Well, he did. And he was my last hope in that administration. Now, Dr. Rice is in that post AND some lovely lady who is a big fan of "No Child Left Behind" -- a ploy to get rid of public education in this country -- is head of education. Super.

For Veteran's Day I made two donations: one to VietNow and one to AmVets. Don't forget about our veterans, please!

Apparently, Gonzales isn't as rosy as CNN made him out to be yesterday. He approved some of the interrogation policies used in Iraq that were actually torture. Great.

Just one week after the election, and I can't believe I'm saying this...but President Bush does something right!!! No more John Ashcroft as Attorney General. I'm slightly relieved. Now he just has to replace Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Cheney...

Of course, the fact that Ashcroft was chosen in the first place was a bad idea. I mean, he lost an election to a deceased candidate. Not many are that unpopular.

Tonight will be pretty damn close to an all nighter. I really would like to get 2 hours of sleep though. It's my basic minimum now that I'm an old lady. So that's what I'm hoping for. And if my students find me eating, unshowered, and smelly in the morning, that's just too bad for them.

The deal is that I have a presentation due in class tomorrow. And I have to write some sort of short paper. Now, I'll have some time to revise it tomorrow, but it does have to be fairly good. That means I must finish the rough draft tonight. Oh, and I have rehearsal in the next hour and a half.

I'm still upset over the election. But then again, there are few on the East and West coasts who aren't.

These results are a little bit hard to take. It's difficult to imagine that there are so many Bush voters out there when I live in Ithaca and all I see are "Get Bush out!" signs. Plus, I think that all my friends, conservative and liberal alike, voted for Kerry. How could we have lost??

All I have to say is that Blogger has been difficult with me; thus, I haven't posted. Also, I most definitely should not be posting now since -- sigh, I have a bunch of things due tomorrow which I haven't started yet. Oops.

THANK YOU RED SOX!!!!!!!!!

Happy (one-day late) Birthday to Lisa, who is going to have an AMAZING time in Ireland when she's there. I hope you guys are going to Galway. It's the best.

As for the Sox, I pointed out to my Mom that she is going to have to stop saying "Good luck to you and the Red Sox" now and instead say "Good luck to you and the Yankees." Of course, it would probably be more fitting to say "Good luck to you and the Cubs (or White Sox." Poor Chicago. I hope they win it soon.

And of course, I can't forget Derek Lowe, who is my favorite Red Sox pitcher. Fabulous. Just fabulous.

Woohoo! We're going to the World Series!!! And Johnny Damon is my homeboy. I was actually talking to Becky the day before the game, and I predicted it was going to be all about Johnny Damon. He was going to come out of his slump because he got the winning run (even though it was through a walk) that kept the Red Sox in the game at Fenway. And bam! BAM! Johnny Damon hits a GRAND SLAM last night.

"The force is with Boston" -- quote on the Boston Red Sox site

See, this is why I love the Sox. Oh, you're brilliant!!! Now on for game 7.

"My gray hairs are getting gray hairs." Red Sox announcer commenting on the intensity of the game last night

Why the Hell am I still up? I wanted to go to sleep by 12am tonight, since I have to teach tomorrow at 8:40. I was going to be a good girl and do work -- not even watch or listen to a bit of the game. But then, as I was reading on my couch. I heard the guy living below me yell "Yeah!!!!" And at first I thought nothing of it. Then a little while later I heard another "Yeah!!!!" followed by "Ortiz!!!" And you know, after that, how could I resist? I listened to the game while "reading." I even went so far as to hold the clock radio above my head so it would get transmission (I actually got WEEI, not Yankees announcers -- amazing!). Then, I watched the end of the game on the little web Diamond camera online. Sigh, it's lovely to see Ortiz smile. Now, I must go to bed.

The Friday Five.

1. What was the last dream that you had about?
Last night/this morning I had a really freaky dream about the U.S. doing military testing in the ocean near a building I lived in. I was looking out the window and all of a sudden all of these fire engines appeared. They were everywhere. Then I looked out over the ocean and there was a black silouette of a plane that was just hovering -- like a helicopter. I asked a bunch of people what was going on, and the Fire Department told us that it was military testing. Then, the plane let a bomb go into the ocean and there was a loud explosion that scared everyone. It was a really freaky dream.

2. Does it hold any significant meaning to you?
Well, I think the significance is that a whole bunch of fire engines went by just before I was going to bed. Of course, this isn't out of the ordinary or anything since I live close to campus.

3. Do you dream in color or black and white?
I dream in color. I think I've had a few dreams in black & white. One in particular was about Liam Griffin and I being superheroes. He was my second grade crush. Actually, that dream was more blue and white than black and white. Regardless it was colored differently.

4. What is the most frightening dream you ever had?
This dream was kind of frightening. I think I'll spare you the most frightening dream, but I will instead talk about when Andrew and I were playing lots of Resident Evil. Both of us kept waking up in nightmares because the monsters from the video games entered our dreams. Shiver. Scary.

5. Is there one dream that stays clear in your mind despite the fact it was more than a few years ago?
I guess that would be the one about Liam Griffin in the second grade. I mean, how many dreams can you remember from back then?

OK, so I just figured out that comments don't publish right away. They publish when I publish a new post. Frustrating, yes, but since I post constantly, and needlessly, they'll work.

Today I saw a bumper sticker that said:

Where are we going? And why am I in this handbasket?

It's one of the best anti-Bush stickers I've seen so far.

experiment.

Well, the Sox lost again. When they lose, I always think it's my fault. Like maybe I should have warn the blue hat instead of the pink hat. Or perhaps they lost because I watched part of the game but not the whole game? Years of this paranoia have led me to discover that it's not my fault when they lose. So I feel more comfortable now than I have in years in the past. Knock on wood.

Oh, it's horrible. When I look at all the blogs I used to read, their authors haven't posted in like, a month, or at the very least, weeks. What will I do now? I will have to find more blogs of people I know. This is rough...especially when I used to look forward to updates from people. Now I feel so out of the loop. Help! Help! I live in central ny and there is nothing around me. I need blogs.

Tear the heart from out my breast...

That's what would have happened had the game been a no-hitter last night. Oh my God, the torture. I mean, can you imagine? And to think I was watching the game in the student center. Needless to say it was populated mostly by Yankees fans. But you know what? Our boys are soooooo much better. They brought the game back within one point -- AND WITH RELIEF PITCHING. That is PURE BRILLIANCE. There is no doubt about it. And what will happen tonight? When we have Pedro pitching? And they have? That's right, they got nothing. Us: Pedro. Them: Nothing. Story ends. C'mon chicos, that was a beautiful comeback last night. Let's make this one a win.

Pffffffffffft. I'm mad right now because a rehearsal cancelled by this girl who has shown up late to two rehearsals, and cancelled one other of her own. Mad, mad, mad. The problem is that I could have stayed home and finished my cleaning, but instead I showed up and waited, only to find out that the other actor (not the director) left a message on my OFFICE answering machine at 11:30, which incidentally I said NOT to leave messages on, because guess what? I don't get them until I come here. Still, it's not at all his fault, and it was good of him to call me. But I have to admit that I'm pissed.

OK, aside from that, I tried to post last night after my long post, and it didn't work. Maybe it will work now. I also tried to put links to other people's pages up again and that didn't work. Yes, folks, I know html, but this page isn't html. I even tried searching for other pages like mine that had a links section so I could steal their programming language, and I found 0. Nada. So if anyone knows how I can put links up, you can comment in the comment section. That is...if the comments section works. Lisa says it's iffy.

By the way Lisa, I've had that cold, and I'm convinced that it's far worse than your average cold. I recommend you rest, sleep, rest, and sleep some more. Also, I highly recommend Zicam for anyone you've touched that thinks they may be getting sick.

Ah yes, I finished my ASTR paper and submitted it. I'm still a bit weary about the second to last paragraph. I crammed in about 4 pages of theoretical writing from a previous paper into it. So either I sound brilliant or just confused. More than likely it's the latter, but oh well, I was already over the limit page wise. How could I help it? I cut down 45 pages of Sims writing into 12!

But now, for the Friday Five

1. What is something that you used to believe, but are glad you don't believe anymore?
I used to believe that the death penalty was a good thing and should be extended to rapists. But now, I don't. Now I'm anti-death penalty because I don't believe that the choice to take another's life is up to us (unless in self-defense). Plus, the justice system is so incredibly flawed; innocent people have already been killed under the death penalty.

2. Is there something you wish you still believed?
This is a tough one. I mean, do I say Santa Claus? The Easter Bunny? The Tooth Fairy? I liked them all. I guess I wish I still believed that democracy was at work in this country. I hope that the next election will restore that belief.

3. What experience or person taught you the most about life?
Wow! I guess that would be living in different places. I mean, I didn't understand the culture of the South and the Midwest until I lived there. For the South, I just didn't understand Southern hospitality until I lived there. Now I understand partially why it's important to preserve the old culture. I also changed my opinion on gun laws and hunting because of my experiences there. No, I'm not a guns for everyone gal now, but I'm more open than I used to be.


4. What area of life would you like to know or understand more about?
I'd like to know more about various religions. My knowledge is really lacking in these areas -- so much so that I don't know where to start. I suppose I could start by attending a religious institution. Or maybe I could start by reading -- but who has time for reading when they are busy reading?

5. What is your most valuable lesson about life so far?
I used to be a lot more explosive when I was younger. I think that this has do with keeping things in until I was really bottled up and then just letting them go like a madwoman. Now I'm more confrontational in the moment. If I feel bad about something I'll just say it -- not necessarily in an angry way, but just state the facts. This eliminates a lot of the emotional turmoil I previously suffered. Knock on wood.

Go Sox.

P.S. In case you haven't noticed, I have a comment section now. I'm just encouraging y'all to use it.

Ah Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We won! That game yesterday was just fantastic. While I did not get to see the whole thing, I did get to see from the 8th inning on at the student center. Because it's fall break, there was hardly anyone there, but it seemed like I was surrounded by Red Sox fans. We watched the game with the intensity that only Sox fans have. And the end, the end my friends, was just a beautiful moment. Ortiz, you are the man.

Oh yay! The comments are up!

I'm having some issues turning on the comments. They should be up soon. Sigh.

Bon jour. Note that I've changed the blog look. I was really trying to wait out a blog change look, but you know, it just had to happen and it had to happen today. Why? Because I clicked on that "next blog" button when I was looking at Maura's blog and I saw this design. And I loved it! Notice that you can now respond with comments to my meaningless drabble. Enjoy!

I've also found a new Friday Five site. Lisa, I'll still answer yours if you come up with one. But this takes the pressure off. So here's this week's:

You wake up one morning, all groggy and tired. As you stumble your way into the bathroom, you look in the mirror and find out that...

1. You're the opposite sex. Besides the obvious playing with the new parts, what would you do?
Scream. I've never really wanted to be male. I'd also immediately be worried about my marriage, because uh, I don't think the sudden change would go over well. I think I might commit myself to an institution if this happened, because it's too Twilight Zone.

2. You're someone famous. Who and why?
Oh damn. Well, I guess the problem is that I just don't want to be anyone else. OK, so I'm famous, and I'm someone else. Uhh..I guess I would take the place of Sean Young, because then I would get to be in Blade Runner and Dune. Plus, I wouldn't be as bitchy and I hope that would mean that I would get case in more films.

3. You're the King (Queen) of the World (no, you're not James Cameron). What edict would you pass?
Uh, James Cameron? OK, nevermind. Oh, it's so boring, but what can I say, I'd pass an edict demanding an end to poverty and a start to world peace.

4. You're no longer in Kansas (or this world) anymore. Where are you?
I'm not in Kansas anymore; I'm in New York. And I like it just fine, thank you. But otherwise, I think I would be in middle earth, as an elf of course.

5. You have a clone standing next to you and it's going to work/school for you while you get to play hooky. What are you going to do today?
Catch up on my reading. Thanks clone Megan.

Where's my Friday Five? Where's my Friday Five? I want my Friday Five? Oh, I need that fix.

Last night instead of watching the debates, I went to a performance by a black lesbian playwright/poet. She ruled. She was fabulous, and I'm glad I went.

I hear that John Kerry "won" the debate. I think that's wonderful. Of course, soon enough they'll put the whole country on orange. John Kerry won, what will we do? Put them up to orange, damnit. That will teach'em.

I'll probably watch the next debate, but I can't say that I'll be pleased after it. It's weird when you can think of debates from the past, I mean the way past. And you think that what they were saying then is actually more relevant to what's going on now. Ah, I don't know what I'm talking about today. I'm just ranting. I better stop. Now.

Oh, but I will say to Lisa. I admire your new attempts at eyebrows. I got my just in the place I wanted them before the semester started; I did a little bit per day, and then bam, close to nothing for a month. Yesterday I looked in the mirror and said shit, I gotta get going on those eyebrows again. I think they're rebelling.

Now I'm finally not sick. I slept for 16 hours Thursday night. That means I'm majorly behind. But I'm still going to answer Lisa's Friday Five.
The Calm and Composed Friday Five
1. What is one time that you thought you were absolutely going to explode in rage/disgust, but instead you managed to hold it in?
The one time? Don't you know that I have that Shea cool and that this happens many times? Ahh...let me think about this. Well, I remember coming to this point multiple times with planning my wedding. Most recently though? I think it was toward a certain fellow grad student -- now gone -- when we were interviewing a certain candidate last year. Yeah, his statements just about caused me to lose my cool in a major way. But I held it in since we were in the middle of an interview.
2. What is one time that you instead went, er, taxi driver on their ass?
Hmmm...I don't think Taxi Driver Megan has been seen since high school. Frankly, I don't miss her that much. Knock on wood.
3. Do you have a method to staying cool, a trick, or are you just naturally able to hold it in?
Sometimes I count in my head. I remember being really mad at a kid at camp once. I was a CIT at the time and this kid was so nasty to this other camper. I yelled at him and the kid just smiled back at me devishly. I almost had to leave the van for fear I would begin to beat him. But I just sat back and counted. I guess we all feel like that at times. Thankfully, I'm a much calmer person now.
4. Given that you can't always stay cool when someone starts talking jive at you, what's the best comeback you ever thought of in time to say at the appropriate juncture?
Now my strategy is to smile and be super nice to them when they're mean. They don't get their satisfaction; in fact, they just get more angry and give up. Ha ha. I should have used this strategy more at the Yankees game last week. Oh well.
5. But say you get so mad that you're the one who's out of line ... how are you at apologizing, jerk?
I would just say to the person that I'm an idiot. And I would force myself to look right into that person's eyes and say sorry. You, yeah you, I'm sorry.

Ah, the musings of a passive aggressive. Now, as per usual, I must go do work.

Blah. I'm sick. I really hate being sick, because along with illness comes exhaustion. Right now I'm debating whether or not to go to the class I'm auditing. I would feel much better about sleeping.

Best game ever.

OK, obviously I'm referring to Friday night's game -- which I was at!!!, and not today's. Ah, it was just so satisfying to be in Yankee stadium with all the hecklers making fun of us Red Sox fans, and then, to come back in the end and win! Lovely, just lovely. Unfortunately, we had one of those terrible people in front of us, who cared more about yelling things and attracting attention, than actually watching the game. What's the point? Fortunately, he left before it ended and we had at least three innings of bliss. Plus, I have to admit, it was a great game. It's just wonderful to watch two good teams play.

So that was Friday. Today Mike and I drove back from CT. We decided to go to Moosewood for dinner and ended up eating with one of my writing student's parents. This was actually a lot of fun. Her Dad was a scientist and a musician, so that helped spur along conversation. Plus, we talked about politics and moving out of the country if things don't go well in the next election.

Ah, on that note, I'll answer Lisa's Friday Five.
The Mostly Macabre Friday Five
1. Say you'd committed a terrible crime and you can be executed any way you want- what way would you pick?
Lethal injection, or some kind of poison. Something where I didn't feel it.
2. Say you were dead- what do you want them to do with your body?
I don't actually know this. Maybe cremation? But I still want a grave, and I would like a statue of myself on it...like that grave that Becky likes in the cemetary in Quincy. The most important thing is that I would like to be buried with Mike, or him with me; let's just hope we don't have to make a decision on this anytime soon.
3. Say you came back to life as a ghost and NOT a pleasant looking one. I'm talking about a slimey, corpsey, disgusting spectre who would provide no comfort or solace to the people you love. You can only cause fear and disgust. Who would you haunt and why?
George W. Bush (Does this mean my website is going to be tracked by Homeland Security? Will they try to steal my soul?)
4. Say somebody then found a way to re-dispatch you to the afterlife- but you went to HELL. What is it like?
It's like the South. Hot.
5. Say God took pity on you and sent you on back to earth as any non-human animal you wanted- what would it be? (NOT unicorn or dolphin. Those are obvious.)
Damn, if I'm not a dolphin, I guess I would like to be a smart whale. Maybe I would be a killer whale...but not in captivity.

The weekend went pretty well. On Saturday Mike and I set out to get me a watch. Unfortunately, there is just one department store for miles around and their watch selection isn't the best. I did find a watch that I liked made by Nine West, but it was too big for my wrist and actually did not have links that could be removed -- or at least, it did not have enough of them for my wrist. How sad. Hopefully, we will get a chance to look for more watches this weekend when we go to CT and NY. It's pretty bad that I don't have one. Three of my classrooms don't have clocks (thankfully the one I'm teaching in does) and I like to know what time it is. What's worse is that the main campus clock is broken right now. I rely on that clock so much that now I feel I'm in some sort of time warp. Yikes!

This week in the class I'm teaching we will be watching 2001: A Space Odyssey. While it is one of my favorite films, I do wonder what the students will think about it...especially the last 15 minutes of it. I guess we'll see.

The Sox lost last night 1-7. I hope it was just a bad day or something. Apparently, the last time they lost a game by more than 3 point was August 9. For those of you who don't remember, that was the game I saw. Then, they have to lose on my birthday. Go figure.

Ah well, aside from that things are going well. I've just been super-exhausted this week after not doing work last weekend. Sleeping just 4 hours a night really takes a toll on you. So I vow not to make the same mistake this weekend.

Last night, however, I did take the night off after spending 11 hours on campus. I got myself a chicken salad sandwich, a Summer Peach Snapple, and a Chipwich Ice Cream Sandwich at Shortstop Deli (one of the cheapest & best places to eat in Ithaca). Then I at while watching Bad Santa. Personally, I didn't think the movie was that fabulous...but it wasn't terrible or anything.
I also talked on the phone last night. I talked to my parents, Paige, and Becky. It was lovely. A very good birthday all in all.

Tonight I'm going to go and eat dessert at Madeline's with at least one other grad student. Hopefully more will come, but who knows?

Anyway, that's all the news from here. Oh, and one word of advice: if you ever teach an early class in college, don't hold late night screenings the night before!

All I have to say is that anyone who has a child going to Squantum Elementary School is really lucky; they have the chance, yes, the chance of being taught by the best first grade teacher in the world, Mrs. Cordero. Congratulations Mrs. C on your first permanent teaching job!

That's all I have to say now. I will add that I am exhausted. I seem to have trouble sleeping the night before I teach, even if I go to bed at 2 and wake up at 6. I guess it's a good thing that I don't do it every day. Then again, if I did it every day I might get used to it faster. Blah.

This is from the nyyankees website:

"New York was thoroughly embarrassed by its 22-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, but after the game, no one wanted to talk about the Tribe. Instead, it was the Red Sox who were the primary topic of conversation, as the few players who stuck around to face the music were asked if the footsteps were ringing in their ears.

'They're the hottest team in baseball, but the only concern I have [with Boston] is when we have to play them,' said manager Joe Torre. 'That's the only time they should be in our heads. I know they're not in our heads as far as the way we play. Tonight was a bad night, but I can't credit the Red Sox for contributing to this loss. It was self-inflicted.'

Torre repeated that theme several times, stressing that, in his mind, the Red Sox were not clogging the brains of his players.

'You can ask each one of them if Boston was on their mind when they put their spikes on today, and I'd be very surprised if you got any affirmatives. If you hooked them up to a lie detector, I'm not sure you'd get any yesses in there," the manager said. "We're aware of where they are, but you can't lose perspective when you're 30-something games over .500. You can't control what they do until we play them.'

Alex Rodriguez, who nearly found himself on the other side of this heated rivalry last winter, said that he and his teammates aren't consumed with scoreboard watching or checking the standings, but rather with what is happening in their own clubhouse on a daily basis.

'That's not our concern,' A-Rod said of the Sox. 'We have to worry about the New York Yankees. What Boston is doing is great, but we can't worry about that.'

'We can't worry about the Red Sox. We have to worry about us, what we can do here,' said Jorge Posada. 'We have to remember that we're still ahead, remember that we have to pitch better. We have to start tomorrow. It's as simple as that.'

The Red Sox have been on fire of late, winning 13 of their last 15 contests to gain seven games in the standings. Curt Schilling, who won his 17th game on Tuesday in a 10-7 victory over the Anaheim Angels, doesn't believe that the Yankees are about to roll over just because the Sox are putting pressure on them."

Hmmm....for people who aren't worried, they sure seem to refer to the Sox a lot.

How could I forget to mention that the Yankees lost 22-0 yesterday. 22-0. Oooooooooooo.

I'm tired. I'm not even sure why. I got plenty of sleep. Maybe I'm just tired because I won't be having an afternoon nap today. Actually, I won't be having one any Wednesday for most of the semester. That's OK. I don't have to be at class until 12:20 and that's pretty damn precious compared to my 8:40 teaching time on Tuesday and Thursday. Yeah, I know, 8:40 isn't actually that bad. And it's not for me, it's really not. But for the students, that's a whole different matter.

Besides teaching, I'm taking a class on virtual bodies and a class in directing. I'm also auditing a greek theatre class taught in the Classics department. I'm pretty happy about going down to taking two courses, instead of four...especially when teaching seems to take up so much time! It seems to take up a lot more time than the work outside for an acting class does. But then again, I think I know more about acting than I do writing. I mean, I write all the time, but have I ever taken a class in it? No I haven't ... well, at least not since high school.

Well, anyway, that's about all from the Ithaca front. I wish I were in NYC protesting right now, even if it meant getting arrested. I'd rather have Pat Buchanan be President than GW. Maybe he should run! Oh, it's probably too late for that.

Yay! I just passed the defense for my Q Exam! Well, thankfully that's done. One requirement out of the way. Sigh.

In other news, I've been to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine -- needless to say I'm very sick of being in the car. Last weekend we drove to Maine on Friday (it took 8 and a half hours!). Then Saturday we went to Mike's grandmother's 90th birthday party. It was at his Aunt and Uncle's house near the beach. Unfortunately, it rained. It rained a lot so we didn't get to enjoy the beach as much as we would have wanted to. Still, I did get to watch the Red Sox game -- a big deal for a girl living in NY without a tv. They won on Saturday and Carl Everett went nutty on an empire. Ah, Carl you never change. Then I played cards with Mike's grandma, a great aunt (sort of), Jere, Lys, and Will (one of Lucy's boyfriend's children). That was fun because I never get to play cards.

Other fun things involved dogs. I really like the Rottweiler that Pam and Ed (MG's aunt and uncle) have. He may slobber, but he's cute because he's afraid of rambunctious puppies. Of course, with all the dogs around I stepped in poop; thankfully, I removed the poop in a puddle.

When it finally stopped raining, some of us went to the beach to play frisbee. I have to admit that I can't throw a frisbee for shit. Not for shit. But also, it was getting dark when we started throwing the frisbee -- that didn't make things easier.

To top the day off I went to the arcade to play some games. I won enough tickets to get Mike, Lys, Jere, and myself plastic sharks. Finally, I bought some candy at a candy store. Ah, what a nice day.

Sadly we left at 7am the next morning in order to miss the Maine traffic. Thankfully, we didn't have any traffic on the way back but it was an absolutely gorgeous day and I wanted to be outside -- not in the car!!! Oh well.

Aside from my day in Maine, I also had a lovely, though short, time in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I got to see Cirque du Soleil's Varekai. AMAZING. Not that you would expect it to be anything else, but really, it's just unbelievable what these people could do with their bodies!!! I have to admit that the clown stuff did get tiresome for all of us. We all wondered why there was so much of that in there. Yes, it helps to give the performers a rest, but isn't there another way?

Alright, I have to get back to work now. Today I plan to make the blackboard page for my students....well, at least I hope to start it.

I just turned in my qualifying exam.

On Tuesday, I turned in my final assignment for my summer class.

On Sunday morning, I presented my first paper at a conference in Toronto.

On Saturday night, I performed the last performance of "Merry Wives of Windsor" in Ithaca.

Now I'm going to SLEEP.

"I didn't trade me." -- Nomar Garciaparra

Oh Nomar, how could we? Why?!? Why?!?

Well, at least you went to my second favorite team. Now I have even more reason to root for them.

In defense of THK...

While I respect your opinion, Ms. C., regarding Teresa Heinz Kerry, I have to disagree.  Instead of playing the subordinate to her husband, Heinz Kerry has said that she will not (1) pretend she is interested in Kerry's speech when she has heard it 5 million times; (2) walk around like a smiling dope in complete subordination to her husbands thoughts; (3) agree with her husband on all the issues when that would not be her choice; and, (4) tolerate philandering (I believe she said she would cut off Kerry's balls if he ever fooled around).

Rich or not rich, this is the first "first lady" candidate who has decided not to be the accompanying doll on her husband's arm.  I look forward to her outspokenness, difference of opinion (even if it is not in line with my own), and her spark -- even if it does result in the occasional misfire.  I also look forward to her delicious pumpkin spice cookies; they are clearly a better choice than the mundane oatmeal chocolate chunk of a certain other candidate's wife.

I hate fruitflies.  We have them and I hate them.  I must kill them.  I will let you know how it goes.

I looked at a headline on Red Sox.com that says "Wakefield Shoulders the Load for the Sox" but the first time I saw it, I thought it said "Wakefield Shoots the Load for the Sox."  Me and my perverted mind.

In other news, I'm actually doing work -- getting things accomplished.  Of course, I still don't have that paper done, but hey, I started it.  I will finish it tonight.

This weekend will be a weekend of bliss with Lys.  She is visiting tomorrow.  I'm excited because I'm sure we'll have lots of fun.  There's tons of stuff to do around Ithaca this weekend.  One big thing that's going on is the Grassroots Festival -- a festival with forty bands.  Hey, Los Lobos is even coming!  There's also a lot of outdoorsy stuff that I have been missing out on all summer.  Why? I'm not exactly sure.  I can't blame it all on the play after all.

Since I'm at Mike's work and waiting for him to come back from doing something with wafers (not the vanilla kind, or the sugar kind unfortunately), I will write a Friday Five.  This one, will be about the Red Sox.

THE FRIDAY FIVE
1.  When you go to Fenway Park, what's your favorite thing to eat?
2.  Who is your favorite player from the past?
3.  Who is your favorite player now?
4.  What was your best Red Sox moment? :^)
5.  What was your worst Red Sox moment? :^(

I'll even answer them this time around.

THE FRIDAY FIVE
1.  Cracker Jacks.  Definitely Cracker Jacks.  Sadly, the last time I went, I discovered that they were in bag rather than box form.  I much prefer the box form personally.  And yes, I do look forward to the prizes.
2.  Well, I would have to say Wade Boggs, despite his scandalous nature.  I just remember going to games when I was little and watching him.  I also remember being at a game where he hit some sort of milestone of home runs.  I wish I knew what number that was, but it flashed on the screen in Fenway and everyone went crrrrrazy.  It was pretty fabulous.
3.  This is a toughie.  I loved Manny for a long time, and of course, I love him this year but I think I betrayed him because by the end of last year I thought he should be traded.  Yes, I admit it, I thought it.  I think I even said it.  But honestly, it wasn't out of dislike for Manny.  It was actually out of a sense of empathy.  I read an article that said he just didn't like Boston -- the city didn't suit him.  While I do think it's weird for someone not to enjoy the beautiful city of my birth, I can appreciate living in a place where -- well -- where you just don't seem to fit in.  I felt that Manny's Boston experience was akin to my Knoxville experience and I pitied him.  For this reason, I thought we had to trade him.  But this year he seems to have adjusted.  Maybe he likes Boston now.  Maybe the whole not liking Boston thing was just made up by whoever wrote that article.  I don't know.  So I guess after this long winded answer, I will say Manny. 
4.  Good moments seem to occur when I'm at games.  That Wade Boggs moment was probably the best, but I also remember a recent one where Bryce Florie came back pitching after being hit in the eye with a ball.  The first pitch he threw was a strike and Fenway gave him a standing o.  Sadly, he didn't pitch well after that game.  Nonetheless, that was an exciting moment.
5.  OK, 99.  October 17, 1999.  I did my laundry at Buds n' Suds (a laundromat/bar in Knoxville) and watched the game on their tv.  The bartender guy probably would have closed the joint early if it weren't for my watching the game and shouting at the ump for making such horrible calls.  I don't think I was really convinced of the curse until that moment.  (Keep in mind I was young when the Bill Buckner thing happened).  We know I could mention last year.  Last year was pretty fucking bad.  But I won't even speak about that now.

 

 

Now, I have to admit.  I would be really upset if we traded Nomar.  I mean, I get upset just thinking about the idea.  But come on!  What the hell was Mia Hamm doing in the Anaheim owners' box?  I'm sorry chica, but I just can't have that.  I mean, I bet Mia wouldn't like it too much if Nomar was sitting on the other side of one of her games.  Good God.
 
In other news, I still have to write that paper.  At least now I'm procrastinating by researching.

Hmmmm...I thought I posted after the 4th. Perhaps I wrote a post and then didn't publish it. Silly...yes, but plausible nonetheless.

As for the play, things are going well. I'm looking forward to this weekend though since we'll be performing at my favorite space...the plantations. Also, I will get to start doubling for Simple on Sunday. Yippee! That should be fun.

Other than the play, I don't have much ro report. It's my two year anniversary today. Yay us! We'll be eating a delicious dinner at ZaZa's (a fancy restaurant I highly recommend if you are ever in Ithaca).

As for the Red Sox, hmmm...maybe they read my blog after all. Things seem to have picked up after my last post. Thanks guys. No really, thanks. You make my day. And as for the All Star Game, I'm glad that Pedro is taking a break...and Schilling. I'm not a big fan of the All Stars personally...I like teams in both leagues so I don't really feel like rooting for anyone...except for Manny. Go Manny!

Gentlemen,
It's time to start winning. You are far better than this. Know this and win.
Thank you,
Megan

So perhaps the RS don't read my blog. Still, the statement is out there. Somewhere.

Some people have been asking for a Friday Five, so I thought I would do one today. Since I'm preparing for the play, it's going to be about performance in general.
The Friday Five
Live Performance
1. What's the best live performance (play, concert, etc.) you've ever been to? Why was it the best?
2. What's the worst one you've ever gone to?
3. How often do you try to see live performance?
4. Do you wish you went to live perofrmance more often? If so, why don't you?
5. What's the best live performance you've ever been involved in? Don't give me an "I've never been involved in anything" because surely you have!

And, I think instead of answering this Friday Five right now, I will answer the one from weeks ago that I thought was far too boring.
The Friday Five
Breath
1. How concerned are you with your breath? Do you often wonder if it's bad?
Yes, I'm very concerned about my breath. Why else would I write a Friday Five about it. I try to always carry gum and mints in case I need refreshment.
2. What's your method of preferred breath refreshment when you are away from your house?
Wrigley's Extra Peppermint Sugar Free Gum. It's also a good way to wake yourself up. I've been using it when I get tired late at night instead of caffeine. And it works! It's just that minty!
3. What's your most embarrassing stinky breath moment?
I guess I don't remember. Recently, though, I ate a pasta dinner with garlic and butter sauce. The next day I went running and all I could smell was garlic. It was coming out from everywhere. I'm pretty sure my breath was garlicy then. Ewww.
4. If someone else has a breath problem do you tell them? How?
If it is someone I don't know very well, I definitely wouldn't tell them. I might offer them a mint as a hint though.
5. Are there certain foods you try to avoid because of the possibility of bad breath?
Garlic. Well, I try to eat it only when I'm not going to be spending time with people the next day. I also try to avoid onions. Nothing gets you like garlic though...

So there are my answers. I'll answer the other Friday Five a little later. Right now I have to go and make my donation to the Kerry campaign.

And another thing....
The hot ticket in Ithaca is apparently to Farenheit 9-11. It's playing at the local nonprofit indie theaters and from what I understand, it's virtually impossible to get a ticket. You are supposed to get there at 7:30 for tickets to the 9:40 show (they don't presell otherwise). A girl I know got there at 7:15 and didn't get a ticket along with hundreds of other people. Guess I might have to wait awhile to see it.

I forgot to mention that after I left the theatre office on Thursday night, I saw the largest moth I've ever seen in my life. It's body was as big as my thumb. No exaggeration. And it was hairy. Seeing it was quite surreal. Thankfully, it was on the other side of the window near the elevator. Otherwise, I would have screamed and though that I was in some sort of strange horror film. Actually, I wish I spent more time looking at it so that now I could try to identify what kind it is. Oh well. Do you think that if I go back it might be there again another night?

The wedding was long. It was not really a wedding but a marathon of celebration. It seemed like a lot of people had fun (though that "lot of people" did not include me).
At least the b&b was nice. I learned what a crumpet is for the first time, though unfortunately I neglected to try one. Why? Well, I was too taken with the scones and the strawberries. The innkeepers, Vinny & Steve, supplied a chocolate spread that simply tasted wonderful with strawberries. mmmmmmmmmmm. Can you think of anything more delectable?
Actually, I did have a fabulous dessert at a restaurant in West Hartford Saturday night named Bricco. I highly recommend it if you are going to be in the CT area. The dessert was listed as a lemon tart, but when it came out it was several different yummy lemon parts. Expensive at $8, but well worth it.
So now I'm back in NY and have to start class tomorrow. I also really have to get going on writing my conference paper and memorizing my lines for the play. So alas, I bid you adieu.

I was supposed to stay in the theatre office to do work tonight. Although I am there/here now, I have no desire to do work here. It's just too cold. That's the problem with buildings w/air conditioning in Ithaca at night. Ah...who am I kidding? That's the problem with this building all the time. I have never known it to be warm. In fact, it seems that one always has to carry a sweater or sweatshirt in. Otherwise, one might freeze. So I shall go home to work.

Tomorrow I head off to a weekend in Ct. We'll be attending Mike's father's wedding. And we'll also get to see my cousin Scott & Dena. It should be nice to get away ... even if it is only for a little while. We're staying in a bed & breakfast in New Haven. I love bed and breakfasts because they're always a surprise. Let's hope this is a good one.

Speaking of good one's, let's hope the red sox shape up. I just can't take any more losses. It kills me. They're so good -- what's going on boys? I thought that you were on the up and up after Tuesday's game??? c'mon chicos, I'm rooting for you!

So why no Friday Five? Well, the last oene was so boring that even I couldn't respond to it. This doesn't mean then end, of course. It just means that I'll be doing a Friday Five only when I think I have something of remote interest to post. After all, it's not like there are a million Friday Fivers awaiting my words.

Ithaca is lovely today. It was lovely yesterday as well and I went for a nice long run. Unfortunately, my hip hurt like hell. I'll be seeing an orthepedic doctor about that soon. For now, I simply must suffer. It's too bad because theoretically I could ride horses at the Cornell stable (not for free, but for a reasonable price). And with the weather being so beautiful, I want to ride horses. Unfortunately, I can't think of anything worse for my hip than horseback riding so I guess that activity will just have to wait.

I'm making some progress on work finally, but I really should be further along and I'm starting to feel a bit nervous that I won't get things done. Ah well, it will work out, I'm sure. In the meantime:

Watching: I watched Terminator 3, the second disc of In Living Color Season One, and Spiderman this weekend. Of course, I had seen Spiderman and In Living Color before (ILC a long time ago). I had not seen Terminator 3. It was better than 1, but definitely not as good as 2. Still, I might show it in my A.I. class. There are some interesting gender issues.
Listening: James Brown and some P-Funk in the car. Also a bit of Beck's Sea Change.
Reading: Other than the Greek stuff, I just finished Slaughterhouse Five and started Kafka's The Trial. I also read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep last week. More sci-fi to come I'm sure...
Eating: I'm trying to keep a healthy diet -- Mostly I want to lose fat and firm up muscle in the belly area. So far it's working a little bit.

Well, I resolved to work 8 hours a day this summer (except for weekends), but apparently I decided to take another week off. Don't get me wrong. I haven't been lazing about exactly. I mean, I've been reading Jane Austen and I've been doing some major cleaning of my apartment. I also had physical therapy appointments and a doctor's appointment this week. Unfortunately, my hip still hurts when I'm running and when I'm doing step (I'm taking a new street step class). So it looks like there are more ultrasounds in my future.
I also started rehearsal tonight. The cast seems great and I'm really excited about the play! Yippee! A play! A chance to act! How fabulous! It is quite a relief from doing papers and it makes me think I should try to do it during one of these next semesters.
Now for...
The Friday Five
Breath
1. How concerned are you with your breath? Do you often wonder if it's bad?
2. What's your method of preferred breath refreshment when you are away from your house?
3. What's your most embarrassing stinky breath moment?
4. If someone else has a breath problem do you tell them? How?
5. Are there certain foods you try to avoid because of the possibility of bad breath?

Sigh. Well, I'm back in Ithaca. Coming back from vacation stinks. C'est la vie.

Here's my own answers to the FF.
THE FRIDAY FIVE
1. What's the best vacation you ever went on? Who accompanied you? Why was it so good?
Damn...I don't know. My honeymoon was pretty damn nice. First of all, I was pretty happy to be married. Second, I stayed in a castle. Third, I didn't worry about spending money on vacation worth a damn. So it was fabulous.
Another fabulous vacation was the one I took to England during high school. Both Andrew and my cousin Bethany went along. It was loads of fun.
2. What about the worst vacation you ever took? This should be one where you went away and had a bad time...not one of those vacations you took off to do work, 'cause hey, those are never good.
OK, I think the worst vacation was probably the one I took with my parents to St. Maarten. Although the hotel looked nice in the brochure, it did not look nice when we arrived. It boasted some of the best snorkeling, but when my Mom and I went, we saw limited amounts of fish and lots of trash, like tires and such in the ocean. There was better snorkeling elsewhere on the island, but around our hotel it just stank. Also our rental car was broken into and robbed. Not good.
3. How much vacation time do you have now? How much might you have in the future?
Hard to say, isn't it? Well, I'm planning on just working 40 hours a week this summer and taking off weekends. I think I'll also take about two weeks vaca at the end of the summer. This should be a real treat. Of course, after that it's back to the grind -- which doesn't involve having weekends or nights off.
4. When was the first time you took a vacation and still received a paycheck, if that's happened yet?
Ah, that was the year after college when I first worked for Baker Donelson. It was fabulous just to sleep all day and think, "I'm getting paid for this!"
5. When's the last time you went to the beach? What beach was it? How long were you there?
Well, I went to the beach for a few hours in San Diego. I didn't go swimming, but I did change into my bikini on the beach. I'm quite creative like that. As for the last time I actually went swimming at the beach...hmmm...I can't remember. I think it has to be around 4 years ago though!

Hi there. This week's Friday Five will be about vacation.
THE FRIDAY FIVE
1. What's the best vacation you ever went on? Who accompanied you? Why was it so good?
2. What about the worst vacation you ever took? This should be one where you went away and had a bad time...not one of those vacations you took off to do work, 'cause hey, those are never good.
3. How much vacation time do you have now? How much might you have in the future?
4. When was the first time you took a vacation and still received a paycheck, if that's happened yet?
5. When's the last time you went to the beach? What beach was it? How long were you there?

I just thought I would let you know. I have a tan.

Ahhhhhhhhhh! Here I am in sunny San Diego. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL here. I'll detail what I've done so far this trip. Let's see...Mike and I arrived on Sunday and were picked up by the hotel's limo (because Mike is organizing part of the conference). The hotel limo is one of those SUV limos, but it has wood paneling and is made out to be a surf mobile. It even has shark fins on top. It was tripped out. The hotel is even better. It's right on the water, but there is a Marina instead of a beach. Mike and I went out on a boat cruise the next day around the harbor with 10 other of hte conference planning people. That was fantastic!!! Later we went to the pool for a little bit. Believe it or not, that was our first time swimming together!!! Can you believe it? We've been together for almost 8 years and we've never been to a pool or the beach together!
Yesterday I went shopping with two of Mike's former coworkers from Tennessee. Neither one of them is actually from TN, incidentally. One is from China and the other is from Vermont and went to Trinity. After shopping, we went to the beach and picked up sea shells. We also had to do a bit of sunbathing.
What's in store for today? Well, I'll probably just lie down by the pool. I might visit the ship museum or the Zoo. I'm not sure. Anyway, thus far it has been lovely, even though I got sunblisters on the top of my head (underneath my hair). Today I'll be wearing a cute hat.

In other things, I'm going to be in the Merry Wives of Windsor this summer! Yay! I'll be playing the part of Anne Page and I'm really excited about it.

And now to answer my Friday Five...a little late, I know.
1. What was the subject matter of the best paper you've ever written?
I think that the best paper I've ever written was either my one on the Matrix entitled "Neo's Postmodern Puke" or my paper on The Sims. I'm hoping to present the latter at a conference.
2. What was the subject matter of the worst paper you've ever written?
I'm going back to college applications here. Wesleyan required an essay on someone who you value. I at first wrote a really creative essay that in the end, turned out to be about my rabbit. My parents did not want me to submit it, so instead I wrote an essay about Diane Purdy which was really formulaic. Although it may not have been my worst paper, it is the one I remember. Needless to say, I didn't get into Wesleyan (though in retrospect that was probably a good thing...the movie PCU is apparently based on that school).
3. How do you usually write? Do you outline a lot before hand? Do you write early and revise often?
I never use to outline...but now I outline like mad. I take notes on my computer, print them out, highlight them, write all my thoughts down on index cards, organize the index cards in order of my thoughts in the paper, and finally I write. This process takes quite awhile, so I usually don't have as much time to revise the paper as I would like to. I've got to try to remedy that in the future. Incidentally, I came by this process in grad school. I don't think I outlined when I was in college. Then again, I don't think my papers were nearly as long.
4. What's your favorite quote by a writer? I'm sure you have lots, so pick your favorite of the moment.
Today I'll pick Shakespeare at the beginning of Henry V:
Oh for a muse of fire that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention. A kingdom for stage, princes to act, and monarchs to be hold the swelling scene!
5. What's a topic that you might enjoy writing a paper on in the future?
I think I want to write on Hephaestus. He seems right up my ally because he makes A.I. I also want to write one on EverQuest. I think I might get a chance to do that in my digital bodies course next semester.

Ok, I need to go finish my breakfast. (Note that it's only 8:30 here). Ciao!
P.S. AB--see how addictive blogging can be when you are supposed to be dissertating?

Happy Birthday Maura!!!

I'm done.

So why am I not relieved?

Well, I'll tell you -- I have the age old problem of turning in a paper and fearing that it might be terrible, awful, horrible, disgusting, or as my "Cinematic Desire" professor called the ending of A.I., "vile schlock." Nevertheless, I think I solved some issues in this paper that were intriguing, and hell, I've had my mind on it all semester so it couldn't be that bad...right? Hmmm...this feeling I'm having might just inspire a Friday Five, even if I'm the only one to answer it.
Papeles
1. What was the subject matter of the best paper you've ever written?
2. What was the subject matter of the worst paper you've ever written?
3. How do you usually write? Do you outline a lot before hand? Do you write early and revise often?
4. What's your favorite quote by a writer? I'm sure you have lots, so pick your favorite of the moment.
5. What's a topic that you might enjoy writing a paper on in the future?

Now, of course, I should celebrate my first year finis by going to Collegetown and buying something really in unhealthy to eat. Afterward, I'll take a nap and go for a run. At some point, I also have to buy an end of the year shirt...don't you think?

Alright...here I am answering my own Friday Five.
Physicians and other medical fun
1. What was the best doctor's visit you ever had. Come on, there must be one of them...
Does finding out I tested negative for HIV count as a doctor's visit? I went to a clinic, but I think that counts. I also enjoyed going to my doctor this past time, because it WASN'T ABOUT MIGRAINES!!! Yay!
2. Would you ever want to be a medical doctor? If so, what kind? Why?
I've often thought that I would like to be a medical doctor. Strangely enough, I think I would want to work in the morgue. That way I wouldn't have to worry about saving lives....just dissecting carefully.
3. Are any of your close buddies doctors or nurses? Do they like their job?
No, I don't know any doctors or nurses. Just lawyers, engineers, teachers, and a couple people that work for companies. My Aunt Mary went to nursing school, but had to give up nursing after she had the twins because of her legs. Personally, I think someone I know should go to medical school so I can bother them when I have a medical question.
4. What was your pediatrician like?
My pediatrician, Dr. Reiner, was awesome. He used to throw my socks across the room after taking them off. He also had a drawer of toys -- plastic dinosaurs, plastic rings, lollipops, etc. and I got to choose one after every visit.
5. What's the silliest thing you've seen a doctor do?
This is a stupid question. Why did I ask it? I guess the best thing I can think of is the socks. Oh, I also had a boil in high school and when I went to the doctor about it he seemed to enjoy the fact that he could stick a tweezers inside it and rummage around. Damn, that boil was mf'ing painful.

So that's it on the Friday Five front. I'm in the midst of my paper on A.I. so I probably won't be blogging for the rest of the week. I should mention that lightning struck just outside my window at 4 a.m. last night and damn, was that thunderstorm loud. Then the fire department came and sat outside the building. Theye were nice enough not to use sirens, but their trucks still made a helluva lot of noise. As you can probably guess, I didn't get much sleep last night.

I'm still disappointed about Brad Pitt's ass. The built it up so much. Sigh.

At any rate, I don't know why I'm blogging right now. I should be at home sleeping. I slept only 2 and ahalf hours last night because I had a final in Fred Ahl's class today. The final wasn't as bad as the midterm, but I probably should have started studying last week instead of this week for it. Ahh...hindsight.

I went to physical therapy today for my hip again. The therapist did ultrasound on it and it feels nice and loose...though it still hurts a little bit. Why in the world did I suffer for so long without going to the doctor? I think that will be the topic for this week's Friday Five by Megan.

Physicians and other medical fun
1. What was the best doctor's visit you ever had. Come on, there must be one of them...
2. Would you ever want to be a medical doctor? If so, what kind? Why?
3. Are any of your close buddies doctors or nurses? Do they like their job?
4. What was your pediatrician like?
5. What's the silliest thing you've seen a doctor do?

Hello.

This weekend Mike and I went to Troy. Although it was certainly not the greatest movie I've ever seen, it had some merit. What that is, I cannot identify right now...but perhaps I will later. Also, the shots of Brad Pitt's ass are disappointing. I thought we were going to get a straight on shot of the ass, but no, it's just shown from the side.

Here's my answers to the Friday Five.

RULES and RULERS
1. Do you have any household rules? For yourself? For your roommate? For your partner?
Yes, Mike and I have many. I've learned that it's better to squeeze the toothpaste from the bottom. I never realized that before.
2. How often do you break little rules -- like no eating in the library?
Well, I understand that they may not want you eating a hamburger in the library, but in my opinion little candies that don't make your hands sticky and things like Luna bars are A-OK. For the most part, I do follow the "no eating in the computer lab" rule, though I've noticed from the way the keyboards feel that not everyone does.
3. Did you ever get sent to the principal's office or equivalent for breaking the rules?
Um...I first got sent to the principal's office for almost going to the school committee about the lack of bathrooms open in my high school. It's a nerdy reason to get sent to the principal, I know. Otherwise, I got sent to the Dean for stealing another class's pizza in high school. A short while after the teacher left huffing and puffing about the pizza, the dean, the vice principal, my friends and I all had a good laugh about it.
4. Do you own a ruler? What kind is it?
We own a very expensive ruler. I got upset with Mike for buying it because it was $10. It's a good ruler, but damn we could have got one for less!
5. Which measurement system do you prefer on your ruler?
Both, of course. I use English more often, but it's nice to know the metric is there for you.

O.K. Here's a Friday Five. It's late, but it's still on Friday and I'm just proving that it can be done.
RULES and RULERS
1. Do you have any household rules? For yourself? For your roommate? For your partner?
2. How often do you break little rules -- like no eating in the library?
3. Did you ever get sent to the principal's office or equivalent for breaking the rules?
4. Do you own a ruler? What kind is it?
5. Which measurement system do you prefer on your ruler?

Silly and inane, yes...but it can be done.

And now to answer my own questions...

1. What do you plan to do when you retire?
I'm not sure whether I would like to retire. If I'm really old, I guess I would retire and then just travel...everywhere. That's what my Grandma did and she seemed to have a lot of fun doing it. Plus, she orgnaized a lot of trips so she got to go for free!
2. How old do you think you'll be?
Old. Who knows? I guess I would have to get a job first and that won't happen for awhile. I suppose that retiring at 70 is a good age to shoot for as a professor ... but it all depends, on when I get a job, when Mike retires, what's going on with my body at the time, whether I'm living in this country stil...
3. If you could retire now, what would you do?
I don't know that I want to retire now. I guess the only thing I wish I could do more of right now is direct/act in plays. I know, it's strange, here I am studying theatre and I have little time to do that. Well, I had no time this year actually. My plans for next year are a bit better on this front. I'll be taking Directing in the Fall and I think I'll act in something in the Spring. I'm also going to try to act in something this summer!
4. What are your feelings about rest homes/nursing homes?
Ugh...I'll never forget making copies for the law firm at this horrible nursing home. It was smelly, terrible and frightening. On the other hand, my fabulous Great Aunt Dorothy lives in a retirement co-op. She owns her own beautiful condo. The downstairs is gorgeous and they even have a fancy dining room. Attached to the complex is a nursing home like area. I think the situation is nice because you have your condo to go home to. That makes you want to get better and leave. So I guess retirement homes can be fabulous. So can nursing homes (if such care is needed). It just depends on which one you choose.
5. Do you hope to have grandchildren (adopted or otherwise)? How much contact would you want with them?
Yes, I'd like some grandchildren and I'd like to see them often. I don't think I would mind babysitting for them or anything like that.

This weekend I saw Kill Bill volumes 1 and 2. I felt they were both good. But despite what people say, I believe that they are in no way bloodier than Dead Alive. I plan to rent Dead Alive this week to prove this to Mike. In other news, I cleaned a bit, sent flowers and cards to various mothers, and now I'm planning on going to the gym. Ciao.

It seems the Friday Five girl retired. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to make up my own questions for right now. I don't have time to answer them yet because I have to go to class, but I'll give you a preview.
Retirement.
1. What do you plan to do when you retire?
2. How old do you think you'll be?
3. If you could retire now, what would you do?
4. What are your feelings about rest homes/nursing homes?
5. Do you hope to have grandchildren (adopted or otherwise)? How much contact would you want with them?

Ok, so these questions are sappy. But I don't have much time and I have to go to class through a strange route; they closed all the entrances to the library for Slope Day.

Normally, I'm very critical of cell phones. I mean, remember when we went to college and people would see each other and talk to each other? No more. Now most people get on their cell phone after class and bam, talk to whomever they call. Then when they see someone they know in person, they just nod. This may be fine in some cases, but it certainly seems to have changed the entire undergraduate dynamic, and if I may say so, not for the better.
Yet, a couple days ago, on Tuesday I was yearning for a cell phone, and a ringing one at that. After attending a talk, I was walking on Ho Plaza (the main gathering place at Cornell). As I was walking, some song was being played on the chimes (you know how it goes, almost all colleges have people playing in a high up bell tower). Well, unfortunately, I don't remember the song, but it was some sort of Beatles like sad tune. Anyway, here I am minding my own business and this girl is walking by. She says, "They shouldn't be allowed to do that." Now, I have no idea what she's referring to, but I nod my head and go about my business. Then she says "I mean. They shouldn't be allowed to play that song. It's too sad." I remark, "Well, it's better than the Disney they play." Then I begin to sort of walk away to the right side of the extremely large walkway. I mean, this isn't a sidewalk, this is probably a three lane highway size walkway.
She follows me.
In fact, she follows me right to the edge of the walkway where there is a small two foot wall. Great.
Then she says "I am in so much trouble. I have just five hours to study for this exam. I'm so nervous about it." Me: *smile, and nod slightly.* Then it hits me! I know what this is!!! She's going to ask me to a Bible Study. Oh good, soon enough this will be over.
Girl: "I know it's weird of me to be telling you this." Me: *grin, but no verbal acknowledgement" Girl: "It's just that I didn't want to study and then I watched a movie and blah blah blah" Me: *ok kid, just ask me to Bible talk* Girl: "I'm really upset that I didn't study but now I'll have too." Me: "Well, now at least you know you have no choice." Note that the tone of this was very much a "the end" tone. Now I'm beginning to suspect that there is not going to be an invitation to Bible talk.
Girl: "And I was also excited last night because this boy e-mailed me last night who hadn't e-mailed me in four weeks. I haven't gone out on a date with him, but I think I will." Me: *silent nod* Girl: "But I hate being optimistic. I was optimistic about at it at first and then I got mad at myself and became worried." Me: "Well, you should be optimistic. It's good to be optimistic." Girl (skeptical): "Why?" Me: "It's good to be optimistic about stuff like that. Girl: "But I come from a very conservative Jewish family and he's black and Catholic. I just blah blah blah." At this point, I realize that no invitation to Bible talk is forthcoming. We're about to cross over a really large gorge and I begin to recall my kung fu moves in case she's psycho and tries to push me over. She doesn't. She keeps talking and I keep nodding. Then finally, I can whisk myself away into the theatre building. Me: "I'm going in here...bye!"
I mean, how strange was that? And believe me, she was walking very close to me. When I told Becky this story, she suggested that it may have been some psych major collecting evidence for a really strange experiment. Maybe...but I'm doubtful. Anyway, you can understand why I longed for a ringing cell phone. Lately, I've been wearing my headphones as a method of prevention. I forgot them today...let's hope the walk home is uneventful.

Hello . . . out there?

Nobody seems to be e-mailing me so I guess I will just write to myself. Hello self. What's in store for this week?
Well, today I turn in an outline for my Cinematic Desire class. I hate turning in outlines because I never outline on paper. I'm an index card type of girl. As a result, my outlines end up being way too long and I spend most of my time fixing them. Plus, the nice thing about index cards is that they can be so easily switched around. Outlines, however, seem to be a fixed entity.
In other Cinematic Desire news, tonight we will be discussing "Pink Flamingos." I don't think that I have been more grossed out by a movie in my life. And to think, I was actually considering switching to eggs for breakfast before this movie. Now the very thought of eggs makes me pukey. I almost puked during the movie...almost. Now, keep in mind, I don't have a week stomach when it comes to things. I ate dinner while watching "Sick" for god's sake!
Tonight is my last Cinematic Desire class. I feel the reason to celebrate the end of classes. In fact, I already feel that I am celebrating this week. That's bad because I still have a lot to do. I guess it just seems like things have calmed down a lot. I'm just hoping this last month isn't too bad. I mean, it can't be as bad as last semester, can it?
OK, this post is pretty boring, but at least you've gained information about Pink Flamingos.

Of course, the Friday Five person still is not up and running. I would complain, but how can I -- I haven't posted for a week. Of course, I still have a Friday Five to answer. I stole it from Lisa who stole it from someone who she calls "Harsh Betty." Although the name Harsh Betty is really exciting, the questions are not. In fact, to toot my own horn, my questions from last week were far more interesting. Ha!
1. Let's talk about progress for a minute here. What have you done lately which would constitute progress?
I turned in a rough draft of a paper last Tuesday. That's progress damnit! I also protested against people being held at Guantanamo Bay. I'm not sure that's progress, but it could certainly be viewed as progressive. Hopefully, I'll be turning an outline for another paper due at the end of May. That will be progress too. Ah, the little things.
2. And then there's technological progress ... pick one gadget or development, something which was developed, or became widely available, within your memory, and which you really, really appreciate, which has improved your quality of life measurably, and explain yourself (psst: computers are too easy!).
ress for you?
Ok, with the computer I will discount the internet. But if I could answer the internet first, I would. I mean, if it weren't for the internet, I would still be using card catalogues at the library. Yikes! Another fabulous invention is the cordless phone. I don't really use a cell phone, but I use a cordles phone all the time. I mean, they're just great. Remember those days of sitting in one place and not being able to move because you were tied to a phone? Well, I do. I also think other phone inventions, such as voicemail, call waiting, and caller ID are the most fabulous things ever. I didn't have caller ID until this year and now I am addicted. But as Becky points out, it's still polite to answer the phone as if you do not know who the caller is. Hello? Not Hi.
3. Do you use your hands a lot when you talk? Do you touch people when you're speaking with them in person? Or does that kind of thing bother you? Insert your own commentary about body language or personal space here.
Hmmm...it depends on who the person is. I guess usually I don't touch people when I'm speaking (except for Mike of course). Otherwise, I think I have to use my hands when I talk. In fact, I rely a lot on gesture...even on the phone, which is problematic sometimes. But I'm much more humorous with gesture than I am with words. What can I say? That's just the way I work. Otherwise, body language wise, I'm making an effort to keep my hands away from my face. It's not working very well and never has.
4. Speaking of your hands: do you like the way they look? how about your nails? short or long? polished? are you wearing any rings? ... if anybody wants to throw in a photo, that would be really neat!
I'm always picking at my nails. And if I'm not picking at my nails, I'm picking at the stuff next to my nails. If my nails are painted, I pick at the nail polish. Otherwise, I think my hands are just run of the mill. Well, I like them a lot, but they definitely bear some scars. There's a small scar from when my cousin's dog tried to eat off mmy hand one Thanksgiving. In back of that, on my wrist, there is a scar from when a horse stepped on my hand. On my right pinky I have a scar from a chicken pock. I have cute little freckles on my hands. There are some on the back, but my favorite ones are the two on the palm of my left hand. Ring wise I just wear the engagement ring/wedding band combo. If you looked underneath that though, you would realize that I 've been wearing rings for a long time. My ring finger has a dip in it from wearing rings (and from my ring going around it). Because of this dip, my rings often end up turning around.
5. I was just invited (third-hand and via word of mouth) to the wedding, tomorrow evening sometime, of a couple I don't know -- DH works with the guy, but I couldn't pick either of them out of a lineup. I have no idea what to give these people for a wedding gift. Suggestions? Do you have sort of a default gift you give in situations like this where you're not sure what a couple needs or wants? How about a default gift for new babies, or small kids (those pesky impromptu party invitations, argh!) or housewarmings?
Good God girl, clearly the wedding is easy. You just give money. New babies are more difficult. Perhaps I haven't had enough experience with gift giving for youngsters to know what to give. As far as housewarmings go, I'll all about wine. Go wine. If the people don't drink, maybe it's best to give them a plant. Plants are great (when they manage to live after you take them home from the store.

There's my Friday Five. In other news this week I went running. I went down Buffalo and about half way up Court Street before I had to stop. Those of you who are familiar with Ithaca will know what a feat that is. My goal is to make it up Court Street all the way in the next two weeks. Incidentally, after I reached the top of Court Street, I started running again. I went by the gorges and I must say that they are quite frightening but beautiful at the same time.

Today I'm going to a May Day party. Then I will come home to finish all my work for the week. Hopefully, I will also get some outlining done.

After reading Lisa's blog about her heritage, I would like to tell a little story from my first trip to Ireland. One needs to imagine the lovely accents that go along with this story in the dialogue: Irish and English. When you are reading it, don't forget to supply accents.
OK, here goes. My Mom and I took a trip where we rode horses up and down a mountain and took a boat back. The boat had six passengers and one driver. 4 of the passengers (including Barbara and myself) were American and the other two were British. I think that the British girls were around 22. The driver was a stout brown-haired Irishman. Here's the conversation that followed. Oh and keep in mind that we were in the middle of a huge lake with not much else around.

driver: Have any of you been to Ireland before?
(The Americans all shook their heads.)
British girl #1: No, we've not been.
driver: None of you have been to the island before then?
British girl #2: Oh well, we've been to Northern Ireland.
(British girl #1 nods).
driver (with a look as fierce as an Irishman can give): That's Ireland too, you know.
Uncomfortable silence follows.

What is going on with the Friday Five girl? I mean, who can't come up with five question? Who cares if they are a bit repetitive? Really, the only excuse I can see for this kind of laziness is if the Friday Five woman were pregant with triplets +. Today I'm going to make my own Friday Five about food and I don't care if it's already been done before.

Megan's Friday Five.

1. What's your favorite type of cookie?
I would have to argue for the gingersnap. I'm a big proponent of gingersnaps and I want them all the time. Of course, they have to be homemade. No corporate substitute will do. If I have to eat a corporate subsitute cookie, I go for Archway's Molasses cookies or some kind of Pepperidge Farm (gingerman, bourdeaux).

2. What's the best dish you've ever made?
This is tough. I would argue that my 5 hour Martha Stewart Lasagna that I made for the cast of Butterfly Kiss was perhaps the best thing ever. I made it again with my Mother for Becky's shower but unfortunately, we put way to much spinach & mushrooms in. The 5 hour lasagna is much better when the emphasis is on the cream sauce. Oh, and I also discovered that it wasn't my fault that it took five hours to make. It took five hours when my mother and I made it too and she is one efficient cook!

3. What's the best food restaurant you've ever ate at and what did you have?
I think there was a restaurant called Five Seasons in Cambridge that closed and subsequently re-opened? At any rate, they had delicious vegetarian food as well as free-range meat dishes. I had some free-range chicken that was absolutely to die for there. I thank that chicken immensely for living and dying. Thank you little chicken for giving me the best tasting dish of my life.
A close second to this dish would be the macaroni and cheese at the Black Swan in Stratford-upon-Avon. Damn that's good macaroni and cheese!!!
4. What's your worst food memory?
Ugh. My worst food memory has to do with the time I got food poisoning from a milkshake at a Perkins restaurant. Although the milkshake was Ok, the memories are painful...terribly painful. If I ever have to go to Perkins again, I will stick to tea and french fries.
5. What's for dinner tonight?
That's a good question. I don't really know. I think that Mike has to work late and thus I will be on my own. Perhaps I will eat the leftover Moosewood meal (we went to the restaurant last night). Perhaps I will have leftover tofu & broccoli in peanut sauce.

See, it can be done!

Although I promised myself that I would start my paper for subversive writing this weekend, I just did not manage to. I was, however, a productive procrastinator. I finished practically everything else for the week. This pleases me. Now I will have no choice. Tonight I must work on either the paper or the Brecht lecture.
Because I was working this weekend, I did not see any movies. Mike saw Kill Bill Part 2 and enjoyed it immensely. I haven't even seen Kill Bill Part 1 yet. Well, that gives me something to rent when I go to the video store.
I would just like to point out that today is a momentous day. I'm wearing a skirt and t-shirt in Ithaca. It's around 80 degrees and humid -- I love it! I love wearing my skirt and t-shirt. It feels like such a relief after a long winter. Of course, it will be cool again tonight and tomorrow BUT NOT COLD. Hurray for Spring. Hurray for allergies. Hurray for warm weather. Hurray for I will not be away from my computer in June. Still...I'll know it's there when I'm walking to and from class and hopefully when I am running outside. Hurray!
Oh, and hurray for the Red Sox who won 3 out of 4 with the Yankees. Let's hope we can do the same next weekend.