QUAKE!

Well, the earth moved today, but not in a good way. Actually it wasn't at all bad here - when it first started, I thought it was the tot doing something to shake the walls. I'm not sure I would have placed it had I not heard the news about it afterwards.

We're a pretty lucky lot around here.

All is Well

Yep.

Basically, everything is fine. Honest.

(I know. I'm shocked, too.)

Park

Tot and I are back into the swing of our daily park visit, which was the nicest thing about last summer, and has improved our daily routine so far this summer. The humidity largely keeps us confined to our underground lair during the day, but that hour or two idling away in the sandpile or on the swings does us both a world of good.

In terms of work - I gotta pick up the pace a bit on RA stuff, and I should likely get rolling on my lectures for winter term. Will strive to remember those.

Sorry - it's not much of a post, but that's all the news fit to print.

Something for Grandpa on Father's Day

Yup, that's Betty White - on a nudie deck in the 1940s (which was surely part of the war effort), looking as cute as a button.

Happy Father's Day!

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

This week, we went from Tommy Douglas to Gandhi (1982), in our filmic quest for courage in the face of adversity. The last few nights, however, I have gone from Father of a Nation seeking independence to something of an imperialist warmonger, albeit one whose heart may have been in the right place - T.E. Lawrence. (That is to say, Lawrence seems to have thought he was fighting for the freedom of the colonial "Arabs," even though politicians later ruined this vision.)

The 1962 film, which made the young but powerful Peter O'Toole a star, is something of an "Eastern" - as opposed to a "Western." Mounted Arabs hoot and ululate as they diverge on trains waiting to be looted - sheik versions of old Republic Pictures "Indians." Yet, it is not as simple as all that. Like T.E. Lawrence's writings themselves, this film doesn't only exist in state of attraction for the masculine virtues of war - it also seeks to problematize courage as a form of madness, a preoccupation Lawrence seems to have had in his own life. In this, this film is even more worth the viewing. On the surface, it is a war epic, but underneath, it explores the futility of violence and the insanity of killing. And the anticlimax of victory in a world where there seem to be no definitive goods and evils.

I have owned his film for some years, and have seen it a handful of times, but this must have been the first time I actually watched it. I cannot believe I never realized the scene in which Lawrence was captured by the Turks and beaten was a thinly veiled rape scene, obscured so as to not offend the viewers of the early-60s. Perhaps we modern audiences are obtuse when it comes to the subtly of sexuality in classic film, no matter how well versed we are. A homosexual rape would not have been as ham-fisted as we are now accustomed to in the post-Deliverance era. In understanding the import of this scene, the movie falls into place for me so much better than it did in my youth. Before, I could make no sense of the total personality change in Lawrence as a result of a simple beating. A beating and brutal gang rape (which is also alluded to in Lawrence's own writings) would much better account for his transformation from heroic, confident youth to worn and partially demented husk. In this, too, the film succeeds in interrogating old myths - Lawrence refuses to cry out in pain as he is beaten, but allows his wounds to fester in silence and break his soul. We are left to ponder what is truly the most courageous way to deal with suffering.

I have often felt this film is worth it for the cinematography and that amazing score, alone - not to mention O'Toole's eccentric and oddly majestic performance. Now, adding to that my increased understanding of the film's deeper meaning, and I am beginning to realize just how artful this film really is.

Vitamin Cute

The other day I was feeling glum, and stressed about money, etc., and little Sprout sat down next to me, patted my shoulder and said, "Hi! Howeru?" and then put his head on my shoulder. We sat there like that for a little bit. Then he put his silly Robin Hood hat on my head, laughed like mad, and scampered away.

You really can't beat "medicine" like that, eh?

Benevolance

It looks like I'm to have a helping hand, after all. So, if my other money comes though as it is supposed to, I should survive this lean time, so I can start preparing to weather the next lean time. And so on.

Sometimes I feel about 90 years old. But we're hanging on, even if just barely.

Well - It's a Start

I just got offered a course for the Jan-April 2011 term, an upper-level religious studies course.

Alas, my application for the online course was not successful, so I am still up poop creek as far as living expenses until January, but I still hold out hope that something else will come up between now and then. Maybe one of the other departments will come through for September. Let's hope!

Either way, it's a start, at least, right?

Some good news for a change. What a concept!

Lovely Start to the Day

Well, they seem to have cut off my long distance calling abilities on my phone, despite the extension they gave me on paying my bill. So now I am stuck here, and no way to call my mum for a few days (hope she doesn't panic). That might not sound like much of a crisis, but that daily phone call really does help me keep sane. Thank heavens my internet still works.

Also, I had a panic attack when I woke up, thinking I was late for work (tomorrow).

Yep. It's gonna be a super day!

Finishing the Unfinished

My favourite aunt, who has been fighting a persistent and mobile cancer for about 15 years now, has been told this week that the cancer can no longer be treated and she has about two months left. I think she suspected as much, but she still has her "let's beat cancer" front on, which is good - she was always so feisty. It would break me if she was suddenly defeated.

However, she emailed me to ask for my mailing address as she is rushing to finish the quilt she is making for the tot, and wants to send it ASAP. The "before I go" part of that was left unsaid. I find myself unbelievably touched that a woman tying up her loose ends would devote her precious time to finishing a quilt for my son. I'm not terribly superstitious, but you have to think that quilt will have a significant power to it.

If there is a "good side" to all this, the silver lining for me, as a mother, is that this month she gets to watch her oldest son graduate college and her youngest son graduate high school. It's a sad situation, but I am happy she will get to see them both set on their paths of adulthood before she must leave them. If you've got to go, wouldn't you want to know your kids will be alright?

ETA: Bawling like a baby. A quote from my aunt's email just now: "That baby is a beauty just like you were when you were little. I still think of the day you called me Grammy. My friends teased me for a long time (i think I was almost 25!) I loved it!How could it get better than to be loved by a great kid like you."

I miss home so much.

"Touchdown Jesus" is No More

I have fond memories of this quite odd (and fairly famous) statue, but tonight the bizarre landmark was struck by lightening and burned down. Not surprizing, since it was made of wood and painted styrofoam on a metal frame.

We'll never forget you, Giant Zombie Jesus Made of Cream Cheese.

People Really Used to Dress This Way (Great Song, Though)

Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story (2006)

Seemingly continuing some sort of unintentional social credit movie marathon, I have followed up Our Daily Bread with the well made CBC miniseries on the life of the "Greatest Canadian," Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story.

Aside from a strange, seldom-acknowledged penchant for eugenics in his youth, Douglas is just about as complete a hero as you can get in this country, and Prairie Giant clearly plays to that legendary aspect of the small, bespectacled preacher from Saskatchewan. Painting an impressionistic landscape of Douglas' rise from Depression-era radical social-democratic minister to demonized "Red Menace" in the '50s to the 1970s leader of the nubile NDP, this miniseries is fairly informative (keeping in mind that it is TV, after all), hits Douglas' greatest hits (especially in terms of speeches and his iconic role in the founding of socialized medicine in Canada), and is actually quite slick for a Canadian TV production. It's enough to make the Captain Canuck in all of us bust a button or two.

At about 3 or 4 hours long, it's quite an extended lesson, but I find that it doesn't drag and manages to hold the attention and the imagination throughout. Some details are a bit dodgie (they show Douglas as actually present at the Estevan "riot," for instance, when he wasn't), but you do come away feeling bigger than when you started watching.

It's a fable of social ethics and of what people can do when they put their fellow humans first - for that, it's well worth a look.

(Also strongly recommended is the NFBC's Tommy Douglas: Keeper of the Flame, 1986.)

That Other Declan

Here's a tune from my current renewed obsession, for your listening enjoyment. One of the greatest dancers in the world? Perhaps.

Also, this is one of the best covers ever recorded, and this is just plain gorgeous. This one is so true, it hurts. Here's one specially for today. And here's a bonus one.

All the Single Cougars

Found this today. It's Liza Minnelli doing "All the Single Ladies" for Sex and the City 2. Sadly we will have to wait for the video of Liza doing the dance, but this quote from the 64-year-old lounge classic seems promising: "It's a wonderful number ... It's rock and roll. Everything is moving! And I just got a whole new knee, so I can promise you everything is moving." Oy.

(Sorry for the weird dimensions on the vid - had to scale it to fit the post column - since it's only audio, it should be no trouble - just looks odd, is all.)

For the brave of heart (and bladder), I also recommend this version. *snicker*

100 Days, 100 Movies

Well, actually, I am not setting myself a day or movie limit/assignment, but I had to call the post something, so there you have it.

My life is kind of the pits right now, what with post-school identity crisis, unemployment and those pesky wolves at the door who respond to neither garlic nor Wolf-B-Gone®, so, really, who the heck wants to hear about me? Therefore, I have decided to get back to my film buff roots, and start posting more film reviews and such.

I might even live up to the blog's subtitle and focus a lot more on silent films. (Been thinking of changing the subtitle and even the title of this blog, though it'd be strange to have a new blog title after 5 years.)

I generally watch a movie (or some TV on DVD) a day, anyway, so I think I will start posting a review a day, with some videos when I can - no promises, though, as I am sure I will miss some days, or have Real Life stuff crowd in on the action. However, writing reviews is good for my brain and skills, and a lot more fun than whining (which I am sure I will still do from time to time), so I think I will revert to that.

That is, of course, if I don't get evicted in July when I can't pay the rent.

La-di-da, la-di-da.

Gold Rush (1925)

This is the re-release of the Gold Rush, as narrated by Chaplin himself. They sure don't make films like this any more. This was the first Chaplin film I ever saw, which makes it a real milestone. I don't know what I expected, but the 1990s teenage arrogance in me likely figured comedy before the 1960s all involved buggies and old men slapping their knees a lot - I know that I wasn't prepared for how awesome this film is. The chicken scene completely slays me. Still ranks as one of the funniest comedies of all time, in my humble opinion. Truly a classic.

On a personal note, I'm glad to be getting back to my film roots with this blog.

Our Daily Bread (1934)

When times are tough, I turn to this movie. The tot and I watched it again this evening, and it still has a positive impact on me.

Perhaps the acting leaves a lot to be desired (aside from my favourite 1930s character actor John Qualen, who is always wonderful), and the print is pretty awful, but this film, once you get past all the corny (pun only half intended), can be deep-down inspirational.

After going bust in the city, "big ideas" man John Sims and his wife relocate to a dirt farm donated by a relative. Not knowing anything about farming, John happily accepts a hand from marooned Swedish farmer Larsen (Qualen) who went bankrupt in Minnesota and ran out of gas on their road.

When the Larsen family shares with John and the Mrs their rabbit stew, John gets an idea - a collective farming village, peopled with all manners of tradesmen and their families to share the work, the resources and the profits. At first only interested in the practical trades, such as carpentry and plumbing, John soon realizes their commune has a place for all manners of folks. There is a bit of dramatic de-railing with passion and pessimism come slinking in, but the social fabric retains its strength, and the community re-knits together even stronger than before.

The film takes us through several ups and downs of Depression-era life, including food shortages and droughts, but also gives us highs, such as the moment they first see the shoots of their new life spring through the ground, and the climatic final moments of humanity's triumph over adversity.

Corny, yes. But really a statement about the human spirit, and what can be achieved through hard work, unflagging optimism, self-control and common decency. It is a remarkable testimony to the strength and perseverance of the 1930s "back to the land" farmers, who refused to be licked by hard times, which is all the more touching for being produced as the suffering continued across North America and beyond. It's a type of Christian Socialism that was killed off by the Cold War, and one we likely won't ever see again. And it does us good to witness it.

In terms of its zeitgeist and sense of purpose, Our Daily Bread is one of the top 10 pictures of the 1930s, in my books, and is not to be missed. Enjoy!

Out With the Old

Today, a lady at Grad Studies managed to make my dissertation into a secure PDF, so now it is officially over - it's time to start letting go of the dissertation as a dissertation. So, this weekend and after Monday's job app, in the midst of doing other Real Life Stuff (money matters, private sector job hunt, daycare process, etc.), I will be weeding out the last of the dissertation errands.

To Dos:

• Burn all dissertation materials onto a CD and hide this somewhere safe. Maybe a backup, as well.
• Make sure all major drafts are stored in the Gmail.
• Go through dissertation files, and save all homeless material and bibliographies for future use in a separate file on the hard drive.
• Save my new secure PDF and the last draft of my dissertation in Word to a fresh file.
• Keep all the PDF articles I might need in the future to a new, organized "Research" file.
• Clear out my USB jump drive and laptop - save the secure PDF and latest Word version on there, instead.
• Delete all dissertation leftovers from my hard drive.
• Go through all paper articles and notes, to toss or file. Return all library books, and box up my books that are no longer needed within arms' reach.
• Move all dissertation related labels, tabs and folders from all sidebars and desktops.
• Archive all dissertation-related emails, etc.
• Close out the dissertation blog - maybe cut and paste it and delete the blog?
• Clean the comp hard drive and de-frag (I can hear it sigh in relief already).
• Send secure PDF off to the fellowship people on CD and via email to my committee.
• Send out thank you cards to dept admin, grad studies contacts and to committee.
• Make sure university business office account is squared.
• Go pick up bound dissertation when it is finished and find a nice shelf for it some place.
• Start moving forward with derivative publications. Say good-bye to the diss.
• Get my manual on how to convert a dissertation to a book, and start in on that.
• Apply to graduate when I can afford to do so.

And then it shall be done... Is there a ritual for such a life stage? I wish there were.

New Skin for an Old Blog

When I first started on Blogger, way back in April 2005 (before I even started my PhD, if you can believe it), you couldn't change the template without losing all of your manually-entered links. Now look at all the fancy!

I started this blog because I was anxiously waiting to move here and start my new degree, and I couldn't find work so I had time to kill... Funny how life has sort of come full circle on that one. Though with less time to kill now, thanks to tot.

My first blog was, if I recall, a black/blue/green/beige affair. Then it was red/white/grey for a bit. Then I got into the minima templates, but with custom colours, and did that for a long time. But, today, the blog has a new, fresh look - like spilled watercolours. Nice, I think.

Today I put in three of the last four teaching apps, with the final one due on Monday - it makes sense that the blog get a rejuvenation right now, at a transition in my life. Just the same as it started.

ETA: Decided to go with the Victorian poppies, instead - I've always been partial to things that look like old naturalist sketches.

Whisper Time

Every night between spurts of nursing, while I am putting the tot to bed, he and I have our whisper time. I'm not sure how it started, at all - I do know it was not a conscious thing. It just happened one night, and he liked it so much he does it every night, and it gradually became ritual.

At some point every night, he stops nursing and drags the big, fluffy pillow down over both our heads. And, in the dark and quiet, we whisper - him in his baby gibberish, and me in basically nonsense. Mostly, "I love yous," and "Did you have a nice day?" And, "I hope you have sweet dreams." We sing a little in whispers.

It doesn't last very long, but it's like a concentrated sweetness - a little goes a long, long way.

I hope we keep that little ritual for a while. Later, it might come in handy to keep in touch, when he's a little older. I look forward to it every night, now, and wonder when he'll pull the pillow. And it pleases me to no end when he finally does. I will miss that when it is gone.

I lulu, Dodo.

A Little Prayer from a Non-Prayer-Type-Person

Tonight, I consider Joshua 1.9:

Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, nor dismayed: for the Lord your G-d is with you wherever you go.

May we all be of good courage, and find the strength we need.

All the best for a smooth Friday, a good end of the week's hurry, and a fine weekend!

Pushing Onward

I am fatiguing in my job application prep, finding myself really sick of application after application. I have three more due tomorrow, and one and a half (half = TA gig) due on Monday, and it's like pulling teeth to force myself into working on them.

It's not entirely that I feel hopeless (though that nagging doubt is nibbling around the edges) - it's mostly that I am just plain sick of them.

But, since I just spent my last $10 in the world, I'm not in any position to flag now.

PUSH PUSH PUSH...

Apropos for the Job Hunt

While I am slightly annoyed by Chinese takeout "fortunes" that are more like truisms or proverbs than real fortunes, this one I found in my winter coat from lord-knows-how-long-ago seems fitting this week:

"A bold attempt is half of success."

Here's to bold attempts!

good news/bad news

I thought I had a shift for tomorrow, but it turns out that it's not actually until NEXT Thursday, because I am awesome that way at scheduling.

This has both bad and good dimensions - first, it delays the pay that will result, which sucks doodles. However, on the upside, it means I don't have a shift in between now and my last two job app deadlines, which means I don't have to force my aching eyes to stare out of a pounding head at this computer screen any more this afternoon in a feverish attempt to get the damn things done today. So that's good.

I really wish I knew what was causing this headache... In the mean time, I am going to go lay low for a bit and try not to cry myself to death in migraine agony.

ugh.

Encouragement

Retrieving the zen.

About three years ago, I posted a list of ten things I love about myself. It was completely egotistical and self-aggrandizing, but I think sometimes such things are good for the soul - conceit and modesty in moderate measure, right? (Especially during job hunting.)

So, here's ten more things I love about myself, and things I should keep in mind during the soul-sodomizing process of looking for a job:

1. I like the way I look. I'm a little chunky, and I could really stand a new wardrobe and a bit more self-care, but, in general, I am pleasant on the eyes, I think.

2. I put quite a lot of care and thought into motherhood - I have tried to develop a few guiding principles to raising my son, which I think (hope) fosters some continuity within my decisions, rules and behaviours. I try to be a rational parent, even when he is driving me completely nuts.

3. I did my PhD in just over four years, with a child and fairly small funding. Believe me, this is kind of a heroic feat - most PhD students in Canada take between four and ten years - most fall around seven years. And that's without children, for many of them. I know speed is not the point, as it is not a race, but it does indicate something about my drive, abilities and determination, I think. Many people had me pegged as a drop-out, I think, when I had a baby. But I showed them all. I really need to take more joy in this accomplishment.

4. My dissertation is innovative, well-written and interesting, I think. I put a lot of effort into it, and I do think (though I am sick of it) it was a fine accomplishment for a young scholar. I also have managed to nail down a fairly good CV in my relatively short degree, with a handful of promising publications. I know some students, of whom I have been quite jealous and/or intimidated, who do not have such a CV. I think it is time for me to lay to rest that feeling that I don't measure up. I actually have a pretty good record. It's time for me to believe that, I think.

5. My brain is lively and interdisciplinary - I am not attached to any particular theory or school of thought, and I can apply sociological principles as easy as I can cultural studies, etc. Of course, I am often behind the game in discerning which is which, but I chose to chalk that up to a fine, lateral mind.

6. I am quick-witted and can talk very well. In an interview or Q&A, I appear authoritative and knowledgeable, so this will serve me well in the job hunt. This is an asset. And, you know what? I am beginning to think I may not just be appearing authoritative and knowledgeable... I may actually BE authoritative and knowledgeable. huh.

7. I am a good household manager - I can make due on very little grocery money, and the meals can still be tasty and nutritious. This is a major skill to have in uncertain times, I think.

8. I am able to take pleasure in very minor, practical enjoyments - movies I have watched a million times, staying in with a book, taking a long walk. I have a very simple life, and I am ok with that most of the time. I get restless like most people at times, but I am not the sort to feel hard-pressed if I can't go to bars or take a yearly vacation to some place new. I like where I am. I think that shows an inner satisfaction that I often miss about myself.

9. I have good taste in music, movies and such. I have a wide interest, and I try to learn about the things I enjoy. I also try to keep movies and things in mind so I can mention them to people who might like them, and I am often correct in my recommendations. Yet, I don't get annoyed when I am wrong. I just like to share. I am particularly keen on sharing my musical tastes with my son, who is turning out to have pretty awesome, eclectic tastes, as well.

10. I love my son, and he loves me.

That was a useful exercise. I feel better. Refreshed for the job hunt ahead.

Now... lunch!

OK - I Admit It

Sigh. My mum did get to me. She's not really the naggy sort, as such, but when she decides to make me feel like crap, she sure can. I will admit I am aggravated, and much of my morning zen is gone. I will try to regain it, if I can. sigh. Family.

Note to self: When you become a mom to an adult child, just keep your trap shut.

I will really try to remember that.

Watermelon and Other Joys

So, I finally found a watermelon! When I was a kid, you see, my mum would always get me a watermelon to celebrate when I "graded" at the end of the school year. It seems very fitting for me to have one this year. It's delicious.

This morning, I woke up early after a full night's sleep. The tot was still asleep, so I did my puttering and email in peace. I got an email from a dept on campus to let me know they've received my application and would let me know if they wanted an interview. I checked my forums, etc. Someone in the US Googled me by name - interesting.

At about 7.30, I was a bit chilly, so I climbed into bed beside the tot. He was very warm, but had a wet pair of PJ bottoms. Briefly considered rousing him for a diaper/PJ change; I decided to let him sleep. He smelled like high apple juice content urine, but otherwise was very snuggly. So I ignored the pee, and the cold wet against me, and kissed him on the head. My little pee-covered angel.

He woke up a little while later, and had breakfast. For some reason, he decided to eat his apple sauce out of his toy wok. I decided not to interfere. Different strokes for different folks, right?

My coffee is nearly brewed, and I've had a nice bowl of sweet, juicy melon. Talked to my mum, and even her slagging my apartment, etc., has not destroyed my good mood. Moms are as moms are, right?

Today, I clean, and try to resume normal life again. I've got about 5 apps left (due Friday and Monday), so I guess now I just have to live and keep zen while I wait and hope.

And try to enjoy the little things in life.

Discouraged

I'm working on a teaching application for a course that would totally save my butt, since the pay/job would start this summer instead of next fall (July, I am assuming). It also comes with three subsequent terms of guaranteed employment, making it just about as much of a plum as one can get in the temp prof world. It's in religion and pop culture, which is right up my alley, and an online course to boot, which would be great for child care, etc. All signs point to this being *perfect* for me... but those same signs make it perfect for the other sharks in the tank.

Two full-PhDs that I know of, who also research in this area, work temp teaching in my dept - both with books published and about a decade of teaching experience, each. Another guy (who doesn't yet have his PhD) is also in this area, is the student of the dept chair, and has already taught a course - he is also one of those Golden People to whom everything comes easily. So, I, with my new PhD but no teaching experience (and no book), come in at least fourth - that I know of, as I don't know exactly how big the hiring pool will be.

To be clear here, I am not blaming these candidates, as they too have kids to feed. It just stinks that the economy today forces new PhDs to compete for temp jobs with people who should be chasing tenure and not piddly term contracts. But, c'est la vie, right?

The tank is just too crowded.

The net result - I am tired and considering not even applying, just so I can go to bed and save myself the frustration/humiliation of being rejected on top of the exhaustion of staying up all night working on this when I have six or seven other (slightly more likely) job apps to do this week. But if I didn't even apply I would seriously kick myself, as not applying is a sure way to make sure I don't get the job.

But, then, so will doing a crappy job on the app because I know, deep in my heart, I will not get this assignment. If any of these three people want this course (and I know at least one does), I will not stand a chance.

Man, I hate playing with the deck stacked against me.

What's the use?

PickNicky Fun

Had my defence celebration picnic today. Food was good, and a nice variety, and the chit-chat/company was great. Tot was a bit too over-tired to eat, and had some pretty high-running emotions, but he was pretty good, despite this.

Thanks, folks!

Baby Fish Mouth*

Tot: (sneezes)
Me: Bless you!
Tot: yu'welcome!

You know, "bless you" does sound an awful lot like "thank you" - never realized that before, but it's pretty reasonable. Less reasonable, though, is why exactly he thinks I thank him for sneezing... Curious - I wonder how exactly I am constructed in his mind.


*Extra points to anyone who gets the reference in the title.

If I Can Take This Job, I Promise I Won't Shove It

Applying for about 15 different courses in the area, so I hope that will at least bring me adequate employment for the 2010-11 school year. Been busy working away at apps, course proposals, my online profiles, and my teaching dossier... I sure hope all this results in something. *fingers crossed*

BUT - good news: My advisor says she's been contacted for references, so that means at least one dept didn't turf my app straight away.

I'm holding out hope that I will make it at least to the interview round with a few of these. HOPE HOPE HOPE.

So, that's the news.

Not much, really.

Pimped Up Robes

*facepalm*

I'M GONNA LOOK LIKE BARNEY WITH A PhD!

And so, reality of my school's PhD grad regalia sets in, against the nice visions I had in mind...

Lordy.

That's right... purple. The PhD blue is there... but... purple. Velvet.

Purple velvet.

ZOMG, Katie - I will have pimp robes, after all!!!

Of course my school would go for the cheap-azzed cardboard mortar board hat, even for the doctors.

I don't care - I'm getting a tam. At least leave me that much dignity.

*wimper*

Professional Development

Today, I spent the afternoon working on my teaching dossier and setting up a website for myself so I can include the link on my CV. It's kind of a load of horse poop, but they expect you to do these things to show how "serious" you are about teaching. sigh.

Not sure what a schmaltzy "teaching philosophy" and a chintzy freewebs site has to do with dedication, but whatever.

In other news, I had to turn down three shifts in two days. Breaks my heart. double sigh.

ETA: I should clarify here that it isn't even the money that bothers me about turning down these shifts as it is saying no over and over again to people who are actually trying to help me out by tossing work my way. Seriously considering just quitting that job, as it really isn't practical for me any more (doesn't pay enough for childcare, and is too random for a regular daycare schedule), and must be annoying for them to have me keep saying no. I'll think on that for a while.

On a more optimistic note, I have two more job apps to do for later in the week (Thursday and Friday), so *fingers crossed*.

E-Mail is a Wonderful Thing

I got up at 6am to do a job app, for which today is the deadline. I know, I should have done it earlier, but I was busy getting the Pittsburgh postdoc app in last night. Anyway, doing it today was the only option that didn't involve my eyeballs bleeding from exhaustion (I was asleep by 10 last night - glorious!).

BUT, I just wanted to note. I have some errands to run on one side of town, and my application was due this morning on campus (other side of town), so I was reconciling myself to a bit of a toddler-in-tow trek today, only to discover (lo and behold!) the dept prefers email submissions.

Glory be! Maybe it really is a new century, afterall!

I can't wait until the days of paper submissions are over with for uni depts - a little less wasted paper, and I get to do my banking AND apply for a job without passing Admiral Byrd in the process!

HUZZAH!