Monday, March 14, 2011

SOLS: The Marble Faun


Today I gave my presentation in 361 on Hawthorne's The Marble Faun. Although I had a pretty good power-point put together (the kind I like: all pictures, no words), I didn't have my hand-out ready. This, however, turns out to be a good thing, since once in front of the class the space between my mouth and brain widened to lightyears. Actually, it wasn't so bad, but there were several things I had intended to say but completely forgot or missed the opportunity. So, it's perfect that I still need to make a handout because now I can include all the things I meant to say, but didn't, like--I highly recommend this book.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

SOLS: Makin' Banana Pancakes

Today I Cooked:

8:30 - Breakfast: Banana Pancakes

2:30 - Dinner: Stroganoff Caserole

4:00 - Dessert: Peach Cobbler

8:00 - Dessert (again): Chips-Ahoy S'mores, Pretzel S'mores, Pretzel Fudge-Ganache S'mores

Today I Ate:

All of the Above.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

SOLS: Metropolis

I've been saying forever that I want to go to BYU's International Cinema. The extra culture, the free entertainment, there's a lot of appeal. But somehow, I've never made it. Never until tonight. One of my profs encouraged us to go see this weekend's feature--Metropolis, a silent German film from the 1920s. I took him up on it, and I'm glad I did, although I can't say I loved the movie. I didn't like or dislike it. In fact, I feel like I am completely unqualified to give an opinion. The film was a product of a completely foreign culture--and I don't just mean nationality. Metropolis made me realize how much the genre of film has changed in just a hundred years. Not only has the technology changed, but audience expectations and methods of interpretation too. For example, the romance of 1927 looked today like possible possession or a psychotic fit of some sort. So, while I can't say whether it was good or bad, Metropolis was certainly worth watching as it caused me to metacognate about how I watch movies, and the International Cinema experience was definitely worth repeating.

Friday, March 11, 2011

SOLS: The Friday Errands


Working twenty hours between Monday and Thursday is hard. It means middle of the week homework always seems half done and sleep is low on the priority list. But it also means that Thursday is Friday, sort of, and once class ends at noon on the real Friday I feel like a king. Here is the weekend waiting for me like a full-sailed ship, and here am I, its doughty captain.


And the job of the first voyage of this weekend-ship is always to run all the tiny, but important errands that I haven't been able to do for the last five days. Today I visited the banks, depositing the little slips of paper that represent all the conversations with fascinating students, all the copies, all the smiles, and all the time not wasted in the past two weeks; and making loan-payment no. 30 on my car. Then there's the gas station, to fill up the car that I now officially own half of. The library, to return my books, pay my fines because they're late as always. All these little things used to seem so tedious when I had more time. But the glow of the maiden voyage of the weekend makes them somehow excessively pleasant.


Included in these errands is always a stop at Macey's where I allow myself to leisurely stroll the aisles gathering provisions for the days ahead. Today I aimed for hobbit-like food since I promised to contribute to Amanda's entmoot tonight. The strawberries were right in front and they smelled like weekend; then there was a display of Keebler cookies on sale, and those little elves could probably pass for hobbits, so, of course; I don't think they have fruit sours in the Shire, but Amanda loves them; and, last but not least, blueberry cream loafs from the day-old bakery--which was a complete score because I've always wanted to try them, but could never justify the price.


Thursday, March 10, 2011

SOLS: Hawthorne, a Bench, Spring, and Me

Ahhh, the weather, one of those beautiful gifts of a perfect Spring day before the season has really come. And by chance I had time between school and work (which never happens on Thursday), and there it was--an empty bench just for me. I got to do my homework out in the sun, I got to breathe wide breaths, I got to fill my soul with the anticipation of Winter's end.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

SOLS: Things I Love

If you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all. If you have to say something, then say something nice. Today I have nothing to say except this:

I love things. I love shoes. I love Yo-Yo Ma playing his cello on Youtube. I love wandering through the library and picking up the first book that catches my eye, and checking it out, no matter what. I love strawberries, oreos, candy corn, and tooth paste. I love the origami critters taped to my wall. I love coming home. I love going out. I love words spicey and sweet. I love breathing in and breathing out.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SOLS: Let It Be Lent!


Mardi Gras!!! Okay, I didn't actually celebrate Fat Tuesday or Carnival, but it was a really great day. And...I am looking forward to celebrating Lent. Lent? I hear you, my imaginary audience, ask. But, Megan, you're not Catholic, and besides is Lent really something you celebrate? Isn't it more something you suffer through?
Yes. I know, it can be, and not by my reckoning. A few years ago I jokingly told people that for Lent I was giving up the dreadful habit of being wrong, but this year I'm taking it seriously--Lent, that is. I officially renounce complaining. No complaining for 40 days. Not one moan, groan, whine, or kvetch! Will I succeed? All my money says no, but I'm going to try anyway. I think life will be better if I say it is, or if I don't say that it isn't. So come Lent, come gentle Lent, come, cheer-filled, sun-browed Lent! I celebrate you!
(Shakespeare and Whitman?)