sundries

[rm]

A squirrel just tried to climb in our bedroom window. It was using its little paws to move the screen next to the AC and was shoving it's head in. The bars near the AC are TOTALLY BIG ENOUGH for a squirrel to get through!!!! I yelled at it, and it went off, and then I tightened the screen, BUT NOW I LIVE IN TERROR.

Nothing like getting up at fuck o'clock to get something done only to discover the stuff you were supposed to have been sent in order to do it isn't there. At least there was an explanation. I went back to bed for an hour and couldn't sleep, so I guess I'm starting my day.

I should, on some level be verklempt, what with that thing tonight. But if there was ever an appropriate event to do on 4 hours of sleep, it's this one. That said, it needs to stop raining right the fuck now, and I am not allowed to read any more film scholarship today.

I am actually quite zen about the entire matter, except for the degree to which I am SMOKING HOT in this dress (seriously, I'm not sure I've ever looked better in anything), and that means people will say things to me, some of which will be meant as compliments, and some of which will be sleazy and crappy and unpleasant and when I'm not grateful, will be even more unpleasant.

Also, I have random musings on perfection, airbrushed foundation (a subject which I have had to research at considerable length for ConSweet. I can recognize it a mile moff, but damn, it always looks good), and teeth, but it's super wacky, so just never you mind.

I have, finally, selected some of the shows I'm going to see for the New York Musical Theater Festival. Right now it's Above Hell's Kitchen, Fingers and Toes, and The History of War. Haven't decided on a fourth yet, but now I suck less! Always good to know what's on before going to an opening night party for a festival, you know?

Patty reports a number of things (and we had a video chat yesterday which was great), including that she and her housemates went to see some blues singer at a pub last night. What is it with Wales and the blues? Torchwood fen know why I laugh.

A teenager in Australia climbed on a whale for a ride and authorities are trying to ascertain the kid's identity because there's a big ass fine that comes with that. Gratuitous reference to Whale Rider (which the article mis-titles as The Whale Rider) throughout article is super annoying because New Zealand and Australia? Not the same country. Also, Maori culture? Not, presumably, what this stunt was about.

Buh WHUT? Owner of the Segway corporation has just died in an accident involving riding one of the gadgets off a cliff. Apparently he was using the new rugged terrain model to inspect his estate and rode off a cliff into a river and died.

Why are more students using tutors? The piece asks whether high school has become harder or if students trying to get ahead of the competition. As far as I can tell from the random sample of college students I'm exposed to through my various academic friends and my own awesomely weird education, high school really, really, REALLY hasn't become harder. This is an area, however, in which my opinion is useless, because I don't know what school being difficult for me or typical of the nation could possibly be like.

Private companies taking over libraries.

Yesterday in New York was the parade for American Muslim Day.

In the current politics of hate, how far is too far? At least we have limits on something? Ugh.

supergee points us to a list of words Google Instant blacklists. Also, excuse me while I chortle for having to link to 2600. My past is so back to haunt me today, isn't it? Anyway, NSFW language, at times completely hilarious, at other times aggravating and offensive from a variety of perspectives. But it was sort of my favorite read of the morning.

Why does this surprise me? Oh right, because I think people are logical and understand that adult sexuality, no matter how culturally frowned upon a particular set of choices about it may be, is distinct from predatory actions towards children: Woman who admitted to doing sex work several years ago reassigned from teaching children.

In India, an actor has been thrown out of his home and disowned by his family for playing a gay man on screen. I have no words. I feel cut to the bone for this man.

Cary Grant and Randolph Scott friendship examined.

Signs of the apocalypse: Bedbugs vs. Stinkbugs.

Blame @Paul_Cornell: Dalek vs. Roomba. It is a true fact that I could watch dumbass Roomba videos ALL DAY.

Boardwalk Empire: Well, it was better. Al Capone's still the most interesting thing the show has going and too many of the men look alike. But this episode used music a hell of a lot more and it worked so much better for that. 'm still undecided on if I'm going to stick with it.

Comments

[elusis.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've heard stories like that as well. I've not taught much undergrad but it doesn't surprise me - when I was doing alcohol education for students who'd been busted for violating school rules or state laws about drinking, I had more than a few parents who were shocked, shocked that the school would enforce consequences on *their* child (even when said child's partying habits were threatening the education said child was there to get.)

The "give me a grade because I'm paying" thing was really a shocker for me when I started my last job. I kept threatening to propose a program via Faculty Senate in which any student could write a check for the full cost of a Master's Degree, plus a $500 per professor bonus payable directly to each instructor they would have had, and we would just issue them an MA while skipping directly over the unpleasant learning and grading parts.

I eventually began saying to certain students "your tuition check entitles you to attempt the course, not to succeed at the course."

[rm.livejournal.com]

Good on you.