A Personal Reflection

This last month has been a period of inner reflection for me, and I have come to some important conclusions.

1. I have to get my life in order and remove all distractions.
2. I desperately need a job and money.
3. I need space for ME!

Now that I have actually put these down, it is time to get these things accomplished. First to rid myself of my creepy stalker and get some professional help for myself. Secondly a job: preferably not in fast food or retail. Finally, I need to have space for myself, and stop being trampled by others.

Now that I have sounded like a complete self-centered bitch, I feel much better.

Face the Music

Face the Music

This is an Americanism that is first attested to in 1850. The origin is unknown, but two explanations are generally proferred.

The first is that it derives from the stage. With the musicians in a pit before the stage, to face the music is to turn towards the audience.

The second is that it is military in origin, and refers to a ceremony where an officer is about to be cashiered is literally drummed out. This explanation seems to be a bit strained and it is also early for a military origin. Most military phrases come from the World Wars of the 20th century, and this one predates the Civil War. Military service was too rare in America before 1860 for it to generate a significant impact on the language. So, the first explanation seems more likely.

Normal, Not Likely

You Are 45% Normal (Somewhat Normal)

While some of your behavior is quite normal... Other things you do are downright strange You've got a little of your freak going on But you mostly keep your weirdness to yourself

How Normal Are You?

School Year in Retrospect

This morning, I woke up around 6am and wondered why it felt as if I had barely slept. 5 hours of sleep used to be plenty in the past, but I guess I have become lazy.

At any rate, I made it to school around 8am, books in tow for Dave. However, I did not see him until I was finished my exam. Somehow I had this uncanny notion that I might see Jeremy around. Sure enough, there he was outside Curtis having a cigarette. Shortly after I went in to write my exam and wrote it in 1 hour and 13 minutes. A truly remarkable feat. I also got a B on my final paper for the course. After wandering around a bit, I found both Jeremy and Dave chatting and we headed over to the Bull. Over chicken wings and beer we discussed a series of interesting occurences from years past.

Thanks for the corruption and the beer Jeremy, much obliged to you as always. We will see you sometime in the next few weeks.

As for the title of this entry, I hate when the school year comes to a close. There is always a sense of regret for me, as I realize that as much as I complain about school during the year, I really do love going to classes. I feel that it gives a rhythm and purpose to my otherwise ho-hum life.

Over the next few weeks I will delve into my summer reading list. The books thus far include: Blood and Guts in High School; NO LOGO; Selected works of John Dryden; Finnegan's Wake; The Trial; Silas Marner; Animal Farm; We; Madame Bovary; A Brave New World; Kim; Jude the Obscure; Vanity Fair; Les Miserables; Ivanhoe; Don Quixote; Inferno; Beautiful Losers; Collected Works of Sir Philip Sidney; Collected Works of T.S. Eliot; Chesapeake; Iberia; Plato's Republic...et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Of course, I will also read anything people throw my way as well. I figure my list should take me a few weeks to cover.

Stay tuned for updates on our lecture for Modern Western Civilizations...otherwise titled Blood and Guts in High School?

Some Words of Genius...

While perpending today, I came across this poem by William Blake. It is one of his more famous ones, but definitely one of my favourites.

The Tyger

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder, & what art,

Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? and what dread feet?

What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?

When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee?

Tyger! Tyger! burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

When You Wish Upon a Star

Today is my last day of studying for Modern Drama, and I hope my grades will be sufficient this year. I need them to be high enough to put me back in my degree program. So here's to fingers crossed and some alcohol after I write my final exam tomorrow.

A Work of Abstraction

2004

Welcome to my World

Tonight the entry will be brief, as it seems that I have done a good job of reinjuring my hand. Due to this, I am once again in a brace and a sufficient amount of pain.

Today was my dad's 66th birthday. We had a nice quiet dinner at home (ordered in from Mandarin); wines (Reisling and Ice Wine); and apple pie for dessert.

Now I head back to my studying for my Modern Drama exam.

Another (Fairly) Recent Picture

February 2005

Delay leads to Decay

Sometimes the right word just comes to you, and today, quite literally so. Wordsmith's word of the day:

temporize also temporise (TEM-puh-ryz) verb tr.

To delay so as to gain time or to avoid making a decision.

[From French temporiser (to bide one's time), from Medieval Latin
temporizare (to pass the time), from Latin tempor-, from tempus (time).]

As you can probably tell, I am putting off making a decision. In my case, I have not started studying for my last exam (Modern Drama) which is on Thursday. This madcap week has: shopping today; my father's birthday tomorrow; packing on Wednesday; exam on Thursday; and cleaning on Friday. What a joyous week! So please, do not act like me and temporise everything in your life. Best Wishes All...

Night Owl

In my sad little state of late, I have been keeping long hours. Perhaps thinking is something that I should stop doing. Not that I believe that it is bad, but sometimes too much thought is detrimental.

On the fly on Friday, I decided to colour and cut my hair. So I now have burgundy-esque hair that is a little shorter than shoulder length. After cutting my hair, I realize I regret what I did. Oh well, the damage is done now, it will all grow back in time. However, I was assured by family and friends that it was quite nice.

Mother's Day approaches and I have swamped myself with four cross-stitch projects, only one of which is for my own mother (go figure). Anyhow, progressing well, thinking that I will have plenty of time to complete them all. After that begins a wedding gift that I should have finished months ago. Once those are done, maybe I will finally work on my own projects that have been sitting on the sidelines.

I guess I need some sleep now, so I will post again later today. I suppose I should mention the rationale for the pictures below. I did some modelling for the fashion show during York's Multicultural Week in February. It has taken a while, but the photos finally got developed. For more info on the Trinidad and Tobago Students Federation ( TTSF) just follow the link here.

Modelling For TTSF

Multicultural Week @ York 2005

Modelling for TTSF

Multicultural Week @ York 2005

Hearts Unified in Memory

Sweet is the sorrow,
That draws us near.
Reflections of a life,
In a still pool of memory.

Remembering each ripple,
A movement of our past.
Vivid first, then softer,
Smoother, clearer, - gone.
Locked deep within the heart.

Misty eyes, sad goodbyes,
For the kind spirit ~
No longer here.
But imagine instead,
A clean and pure being,
Free of pain and fear.

Gone from this body perhaps,
But still alive ~ inside
Each heart and spirit,
Gathered side by side.

Joining now in chorus,
A song which carries on,
Echoing in every footstep,
Unifying into one chord,
Love.

Tears for the physical,
Laughter for a soul,
Who is freer than the birds,
Because it now knows,
Peace.

In the midst of grief,
Our God holds our hand.
Leading us through the shadows,
Of our mortal lives.

We are joined in blood,
On this physical orb.
And, one day ~ reunified in spirit,
We will share eternity,
Abiding with our Lord.

This is one of my own poems, written three years ago, after my grandmother's death (Ayesha Hyacinth Bissessar). Somehow I feel that it is an appropriate piece to be here, for many reasons. I promised myself, after her death: to live my life to the fullest, and that in the future, I would use her middle name as my daughter's name. As for living life to the fullest, that is well on its way. As for the other part, the Hyacinth Girl is yet to be born.
Goodnight all...

Some New Links

I have attached two new links to the Den. Both of these are poetry links: one where you can search for the greats, and the other for any aspiring poets. For those who know my first and last name, I invite you to check out some of my poems at the Poetry.com website.

Do not go gentle into that good night

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

The great Dylan Thomas spoke to me tonight. If that is true, either I have been reading too much poetry lately, or I am completely crazy...

Canuck am I, Eh?

YOU, my friend, are 100% Canadian! You are what
Canadians are all about! (and that's about. not
a boot.) You, my friend, are AWESOME!


How Canadian Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

Watching...

I spent this afternoon watching some movies. One movie was bad (Ocean's Twelve) and the other was somewhat depressing (Hotel Rwanda). I have nothing much to say, except that all we do is watch. What does the outside world care? How many millions must die before we help those people of third world nations...

For the sake of pseudosanity

I am posting this poem in regards to a query placed by pseudosanity. I suppose this poem has no real title, and I refuse to give it the trite "Untitled":

Asleep one night, I had a dream,
The voice was calling to me…

“Break away from the obscenity of the world
Make a space
Far from the maddening crowd
Scream into the empty night
Fall into the void.
Red – the broken body, mutilated – the colour of passion
Green – eyes – JEALOUSY – lust for ME
SACRIFICE FOR ME!
Show love in a vast desert
Prove that it is a distorted scam
Break the mold, absolve the fantasy.”

“Wake up dear, it was all a dream.”

Word of the Day

I just signed up for one of those word-of-the-day websites. Expanding my vocabulary is a good thing, and if all else fails, I can befuddle others with my verbosity.

Today's Word Is:

feuilleton (FOI-i-ton) noun

1. The part of a European newspaper devoted to light literature,
criticism, and the like; also something printed in this section.

2. A novel published in installments.

3. A short literary piece

[From French, from feuillet (sheet of paper), diminutive of feuille (leaf), from Old French foille, from Latin folium (leaf). Ultimately from Indo-European root bhel- (to thrive or bloom) that gave us otherdescendants as flower, bleed, bless, foliage, blossom, and blade.]

"Finally, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung offers tongue-in-cheek reading of the situation on the front page of its feuilleton section, saying, 'Germany is a world champion -- at least in exporting goods. We even offer up our students to study abroad, especially when they are talented.'"
Germans Stew Over Joblessness; Der Spiegel (Hamburg, Germany) Mar 15, 2005.

"And for more than a decade now, in a supreme triumph of feuilleton journalism, The New Republic has left its readers in weekly agonies of suspense over whether next week's episode will recount precisely such a leap, finally and irrevocably, to the monarchist cause."
Paul Berman; Canned Heat; The New Republic (Washington, DC); Nov 23, 1992.

5 months in = 1001 hits

I suppose I never intended for my blog to be popular, but here I am at 1001 hits.

Summertime: The Living Is Easy

I do know that this beautiful weather, which is supposed to hit a record high today (27 degrees Celsius) will not last much more than today. Here I am at home reading instead of being outside in the heat. However, with the amount of smog in the air, I have decided to stay inside until later this evening. Perhaps I will then venture out into the warm, summer-like weather.

What Famous Leader Am I?

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Pleasure Reading: NO LOGO

I had heard quite a bit about this book in the past, however I never really had time to read it. So here I am, after writing my third exam reading NO LOGO: Taking Aim at the Brand Bullies by Naomi Klein.

For all those who dislike post-modernism and its ills, here is a quotation from the book to satisfy you:

"And as long as professors and students in the arts and humanities remained indifferent to this radical shift in campus culture and priorities, they were free to pursue other interests - and there were many on offer. For instance, more than a few of those tenured young radicals who were supposed to be corrupting young minds with socialist ideas were preoccupied with their own postmodernist realization that truth itself is a construct. This realization made it intellectually untenable for many academics to even participate in a political argument that would have "privileged" any one model of learning (public) over another (corporate). And since truth is relative, who is to say that Plato's dialogues are any more of an "authority" than Fox's Anastasia?" (Klein 104)

So stick that in your pipe and smoke it, you postmodernist gurus!

Kitty Power

My Baby: Cleta

The Method to My Madness

Lately there have been so many things on my mind, that I cannot seem to make sense of all the issues. Perhaps it is just the end-of-year-blahs that are plaguing me. At any rate, I have two more exams to write: one today at 9am, and the next one on the 28th. Once both of those are done, maybe I can sort out the craziness in my brain...

What Age Am I?

You Are 25 Years Old

25 Under 12: You are a kid at heart. You still have an optimistic life view - and you look at the world with awe. 13-19: You are a teenager at heart. You question authority and are still trying to find your place in this world. 20-29: You are a twentysomething at heart. You feel excited about what's to come... love, work, and new experiences. 30-39: You are a thirtysomething at heart. You've had a taste of success and true love, but you want more! 40+: You are a mature adult. You've been through most of the ups and downs of life already. Now you get to sit back and relax.

What Age Do You Act?

All right, I know everyone thinks I'm Crazy...

You Know You're From Toronto When...

A really great parking spot can move you to tears. You can recommend about 3 good body piercing parlours. You make well over $100,000 and you still can't find a nice place to live. You realize there are far more rainbow flags in the city than Canadian Flags. When the temperature rises above zero degrees, you yell "Woohooo! Patio weather!" You enjoy watching channel 47 multicultural TV You're guaranteed to know at least one person on every episode of Speaker's Corner. You haven't been to the CN Tower since you were six, but still have nightmares about that damn turbo elevator. You've had at least 3 bicycles stolen in the past 10 years. You've partied with at least one of the members of The Kids in the Hall You've fantasized about having sex in Casa Loma At least 3 of your friends have moved to Vancouver You turn your nose up at any establishment frequented by the S&M crowd. (Scarborough and Mississauga) You never, never, never swim in the lake You know "The Beaches" are really called "The Beach", but still say "The Beaches" just to annoy all the nitwits who live there You ever had a birthday party at the Organ Grinder or The Mad Hatter You can say "world's tallest freestanding structure" ten times fast You know the correct answer to "Where do shopping carts go to die?" is "The Don River" You speak better Chinese than French The word "cabbagetown" doesn't strike you as particularily amusing Castle Frank subway station remains one of the great mysteries of the universe for you. You know what the bathrooms in the First Canadian Place are REALLY for You don't know where Fort York is, but have a vague recollection of being there in a past life You know the Demic's song "I Wanna Go To New York City" was intended as sarcasm, not a weekend getaway suggestion You know where to find Dim Sum, Sushi, Curry, Pad Thai and a dildo at 3 am on a weeknight For the last time, it's pronounced 'TRONNA'! You consider eye contact a sign of hostility and an invasion of your privacy. It takes you half an hour to get to work by TTC and you are the envy of all your friends. You mourned the death of the Spadina Bus. You know someone who went to high school with at least one member of The Barenaked Ladies or RUSH You laugh heartily at people who refer to highway four hundred and one. You've taken the vomit comit. You can manuver your bike across Queen st. without getting caught in the streetcar tracks. You know the difference between souvlaki, moussaka and spanakoptia. You can name at least three locations of The Beer Store that are open till 11 PM. You have NEVER been to the Hard Rock Cafe You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Toronto.

Get Your Own "You Know You're From" Meme Here



More cool things for your blog at
Blogthings

A More Encouraging Report Just In

Another quiz; another result. Here you all are, I will apparently die quite a while from now...

You Will Die at Age 76

76 You're pretty average when it comes to how you live... And how you'll die as well.

What Age Will You Die?

Studying For My Next Exam

Apparently it is a Jennifer Lopez weekend in television land. Saturday night featured "Enough" (TBS); "Selena" (MMM); and "Maid in Manhattan" (Women's Network). Sunday night features "The Wedding Planner" (TBS). At any rate, I thought I would say that some men are bitches, and other than that, here are the essay questions for my Caribbean History Exam. Another bright and early exam at 9am, Monday morning.

History 2730
Final Examination Prep


Please note that there are fourteen essay questions below.

1. “As completely artificial societies indelibly stamped with the pervasive legacies of imperialism, colonialism, and slavery, the Caribbean societies have had an inordinate difficulty in creating and maintaining a strong, cohesive national sensibility.”
Respond to this statement by Franklin Knight.

2. “[Caribbean Societies] exist as precariously viable political entities in a milieu of scarce resources and marginal administrative skills. The models of development for other states and nations simply do not easily fit the Caribbean experience.”
Respond to this statement by Franklin Knight.

3. The nineteenth and twentieth centuries saw the emergence of Black nationalist movements in the Caribbean. Discuss in relation to the readings on Haiti by Nicholls, Herman L. Bennett’s article on Trinidad, and Hill and Bair’s piece on Marcus Garvey.

4. Caribbean politics can be described as the failure of political leadership. Respond to this statement using the readings by Richard Hart, Ramon Ruiz, and Franklin Knight.

5. Assess the economic models pursued by Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Netherland West Indies using the readings by Dietz, Goslinga, and Knight.

6. Examine the means by which the British Caribbean colonies sought to end their colonial status during the 20th century. How successful have they been?

7. The economic, social, and political problems of the post 1900 Caribbean are a direct result of U.S. intervention and interference. Respond to this statement using: the article by Eric Williams; the two readings by Maingot; and Lewis’ article on Puerto Rico.

8. To what extent has education been an important component of post-emancipation social mobility and identity in the British Caribbean? Focus specifically on the relevant articles by Craton, Brereton and Bacchus.

9. The expectations of the ex-slaves did not match their lived realities. Discuss in relation to Marshall’s article “We be wise”, Bolland’s “Systems of Domination”, and Fraginals’ “Plantations in the Caribbean”.

10. What is the connection between labour movements and independence in the British Caribbean? Discuss with reference to the following: Hart, “Labour Rebellions”; Lewis’ “The Challenge of Independence”; and Knight, Chapter 10.

11. Compare the political ideology of Marcus Garvey to that of Jose Marti. How do race, gender, and colour factor into their respective political projects?

12. Haiti is often described in the mainstream media as, “the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere”. Using the readings on Haiti by Knight, Nicholls, and Maingot, discuss the historical processes that have contributed to Haiti’s present malaise.

13. “The most important social distinction between people in the Caribbean is race, not class.” Discuss using: Mintz’s, “Black Women, Economic Roles”; Moore’s, “The Social Impact of Portuguese Immigration”; and Lasserre and Mabileau’s “The French Antilles”.

14. Critically assess the following three articles and identify the central theme that connects them: Jorge Heine’s “Grenada: A Revolution”; Bennett’s, “The Black Power Revolution”; and Gordon Lewis’, “The Challenge of Independence”.

Happy Studying for one and all. Cheers.

Oh, P.S. Jeremy, I posted those blogthings quizzes for Dave on his blog.

I'm A Siren...Cover your Ears!

Your Seduction Style: Siren / Rake

You possess an unbridled sensuality that appeals to many. The minute you meet anyone, you can make the crave you almost immediately. You give others the chance to lose control with you... spiraling into carnal bliss. A dangerous lover, you both fascinate and scare those you attract.

What Is Your Seduction Style?

Dredging up the old bones

After taking an evening nap, I was perusing some websites and I came across this story on CBC's website. Fossilized eggs, hmm...starting to remind me of the Gomery Inquiry: getting old and fragile.

Survey Time

You are 100% Virgo

How much do you match your zodiac sign?

The Medium is the Massage

Yes, as you can surely tell, I have been reading Marshall McLuhan today. The particular book: War and Peace in the Global Village. This is in preparation for tomorrow's exam for Post-Modernism. While re-reading the book, I stumbled across a key quotation, which I found particularly useful.

Literate man easily imagines that there is a direct correspondence between the input and the experience. He lives in a world of correspondences and matchings and repetitions which he calls rationality and science. (141)

I found this quotation to be quite funny, yet true. I feel it can be perfectly applied to many University students who believe minimum effort will attain a diploma. In that regard, if we pay thousands of dollars to attend post-secondary institutes, shouldn't we all be achieving an A+ standing? Sometimes I think that is what people expect when they make inane and outrageous statements. To all the professors and teaching assistants who have to deal with students as such, I raise a toast to you. You truly deserve our respect and admiration.

It is Done

Today is finally over, and I can now breathe a sigh of relief. I wrote the exam I was dreading: Founders of Christianity. Luckily enough, I recognized all the passages that I had to write about, and wrote what I felt best answered the questions.

Additionally I received my two assignments back: one essay from Founders of Christianity (B) and one essay from Post-Modernism (B+) and its subsequent 'creative assignment' with (A+). I am quite pleased with the marks and my professor Bruce Powe for Post-Modernism thinks that my paper is worthy of an award.

I am now proceeding to study for my Post-Modernism exam, which is on Thursday morning at 9am. I have to review for this exam, but I am not too worried about its final result.

Best of Luck and Cheers to All!

A Tribute to Matthew Arnold

Dover Beach 2000

From Matthew Arnold's "Dover Beach", this is my cross-stitched interpretation of the first verse. I had done this for bonus marks in my O.A.C. year of English. It is also a tribute to my teacher Mrs. Avery, who unfortunately is no longer alive. For the complete version of this poem and a further reflection on it, please see Vixen's Poetry Corner, the entry from April 10th, 2005.

Melancholia

I dreamt I saw my death last night
My funeral, yet a lovely sight
Purple flowers all around
Not a dry eye to be found
And if someone asked me why,
They would hear me cry.
“I did it for love, not of me,
As a caged bird, I yearned to be free.
You said you loved, but you only thought so
I guess neither of us will ever know.”

Studious Sunday

This Sunday I have continued with my studying effort. Although, I must say, it was quite a feat today considering the gorgeous weather outside. However, I am in a good mood today, and I am happy to note that the end is in sight for my studying. I only have another few books of the New Testament to read.

Other than that, I have started up a LiveJournal account for future use. The link is available on this blog: Vixen's Poetry Corner. Right now I only plan to use it for commentary on poetry that I have recently read, and by the fall I will be using it for a class I will be taking at York. Check it out if you get a chance.

This Just In: Cookie Monster is on A Diet!

Sacrilege is right! Even Sesame Street is no longer sacred. Actually wait, it is now Sesame Park, isn't it? I heard that the word 'street' conveyed too much of a gang environment. Other than that, the beloved Cookie Monster is no longer chomping away at all those cookies. I suppose he really lost his cookie at the disco....

You Give Me (Studying) Fever

Deep in the midst of studying, I pause here to post tonight's entry. On Tuesday, I have my Founders of Christianity final exam, and I am going through the material that I will need to know for then. It is not a small task, I can assure you of that. This term we covered the majority of the "New Testament" as well as selections from the Hebrew Bible (The TANAKH).
As I am studying, I am noting various parallels which I hope will be useful for the final exam (25% of my entire grade). The exam is divided into three parts:
1. Sight Passages: pick 2 and identify/ discuss in terms of significance, only from second term: worth = 50% of total exam:
Possible Texts to consider:
(TANAKH) Genesis 1-2, 6-9, 14; Exodus 3, 20, 32-34; Leviticus 11, 16, Joshua 6, Psalm 110; Daniel (7); Ezekiel 8-11; Proverbs 8, 15; Jonah; Ruth; Malachai, Isaiah 7, 42, 53, 61
(New Testament) 1,2,3 John; Jude; James; Diadache; Barnabas; Hebrews, 1 Clement, Revelation

2. Gospel Questions: considering the synoptic problem, discuss/compare contrast the Gospels: worth = 25% of total exam
Possible Texts to consider:
(Aland Synopsis; Goodacre; Mason & Robinson commentary) Matthew; Mark; Luke; John; 1,2 Peter, Gospel of Thomas

3. Essay Question: considering the whole year, write about one question posed: worth = 25% of total exam
Possible Texts to Consider: Everything from the year, pretty much all of TANAKH and the New Testament (Paul's letters and all of the above)

So, as you all can see, the studying fever has kicked me quite hard, and I am working my way through the material. Best of luck to all.

Friday of the Saints

This morning was a bright, blustery day in Rome; a lovely day for Pope John Paul II's funeral. The official broadcast started at 3:30am, but since I was up studying until nearly that time, I watched the rerun of it at 9am. By now I know quite a few people are sick and tired of the media coverage surrounding the former Pontiff. However, today's funeral was a piece of living history. The world came together to mourn the loss of a great man, who had done so much to appease and rejoin world religions.

Otherwise, I am still studying for my two exams next week. The Founders of Christianity exam is on Tuesday and my Post-Modernism exam is on Thursday. There is so much to go through, and it seems as if the clock is running on hyperdrive. I suppose it will be all over soon. Best of luck to all who are studying now as well.

Dragon's Tail

The Accompanying Dragon

April 7, 2005

Perhaps it is about time to present the opposite to my Unicorn.

Fire and Ice

The Struggles of an Undergraduate

April 7, 2005

Alleluia!

Today ended my last singing class in an eight-week program. I will miss all the people I came to know over these past weeks. Our singing has improved, and so has my confidence level. Eight weeks ago, I would have barely been willing to sing in public, and tonight I sang a segment of a song totally unrehearsed. We sang a number of songs tonight: "Put A Little Love In Your Heart," "Country Roads," and "Morning Has Broken." Tonight we performed alongside the Guitar Class and I sang the second verses of: "Leaving On A Jet Plane" (that I had rehearsed all week) and "Killing Me Softly" (that I had not rehearsed at all). Apparently all the pieces went well.

Today was also my final day of Physiotherapy and I am very glad that it is all over. I am now working on retrieving all the paperwork to process my claim. Somehow I think that this will take quite some time to complete.

In World News:

Prince Ranier III died today, the once husband of American actress Grace Kelly. He had quite a long reign, and I plan to learn some more about him.

Also, I received my subscription to TIME Magazine today and it a lengthy feature on Pope John Paul II. Overall, there is quite a bit of relevant and insightful material on the late Pope and the papacy in general.

That is all for now, I will post again tomorrow.

A Short List of Rather Flabbergasting Comments

I know Zelda recently compiled a list of what she hated about "undergradlings". In a small response to that, my boyfriend and I have begun a list of our own.

1. From my first year, one of my classmates: "So did Sophocles use Freud's Oedipal Complex to write Oedipus Rex?"

And the Answer is: yes of course, you moron. We all know they lived in the SAME time period.

2. From Tom Stoppard's The Real Inspector Hound, "Does the name Birdboot mean anything in relation to a bird and a boot?"

And the answer is: what planet are you from? (Under) or Overanalysis at its finest.

3. "Are male poets only allowed to write using 'masculine' words, or can they use 'feminine' words as well?"

And the answer is: forget it, see answer to #2.

4. In my Shakespeare course last year, a student who had not shown up for the majority of the year: "So do we have to have read ALL the plays from the year?"

And the answer is: Why, of course not my dear, didn't you see that reading all plays was an OPTION this year?

5. And the coup de grace, in my boyfriend's THIRD year Shakespeare course: "The problem with movie adaptations of the character Caliban is that he is portrayed by a white man." My boyfriend then went on to state that this was merely a MODERN interpretation. This nameless student's rebuttal was: "Caliban must be NON-WHITE, and if you do not agree with me, you are RACIST."

This one really made me laugh. Considering that my boyfriend is white, I suppose he is being reverse-racist?

Puzzle over these for a while. This is why I feel sorry for people like Zelda and Dr J. Don't worry, not all of us undergrads are this hopeless.

Please feel free to add anything relevant to this list....

Fairytales and Unicorns

Unicorn

It has been a while since I have posted anything reflecting one of my hobbies. Here is a drawing from a few years ago. I suppose I have always had a love for these fairytale creatures. Perhaps some of you have read or seen the movie rendition of The Last Unicorn?

First Unofficial Day of Freedom

Here it is, the first day where I do not have a class at 8:30am on a Tuesday. I suppose it is a good day, considering I have no classes. However, that means that I only have a week to study for my most difficult exam: Founders of Christianity.

The Exam is worth 25% of my whole year's grade, and frankly, I am terrified and dreading the prospect of writing it. I also have to send out my insurance claims to retrieve the money YFS claims I am covered for. I do not know how that will work out.

I guess I am off to study, or at least make an attempt to start. There is an overwhelming amount in front of me, and I do not know what to do about it. No more whining from me, best of luck to all in my situation.

In the midnight hour, I can feel your power

A prize goes to the person who figures out my title. It is actually quite appropriate considering tonight's mission. I am in the process of writing my final paper of the year for my Modern Drama course.

The essay question: How does the formal or structural innovation mirror the thematic content?

I have chosen the plays: Blasted by Sarah Kane and Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. Right now I am still in the vague outline stages of the essay. On the positive note, it means I have written approximately half of the 1000 words designated for this paper. I suppose that this is encouraging, but I know there is still far more to explain before this paper will be complete. Both of these plays demonstrate the problems of indicating drastic temporal shifts on stage. Each playwright uses innovative means to create a viable solution to the problem.

That's all I have for now, I return to work.

Saturday Night At the Movies

It was a dark and stormy night...(sorry I couldn't resist). At any rate, it is just past midnight on the third of April (Don't forget, Daylight Savings Time kicks in tonight, set your clock one hour ahead!).

In the news, Pope John Paul II died yesterday afternoon just past 2:00pm standard time. Personally, I know very little about the late Pope, only what people have told me. I suppose I was too young to realize the impact that he had when I was a young girl. He was commended by George W. Bush as the man to single-handedly pull down the regime of Communism. Of course, in the next few days there will be plenty of news concerning his life and death. I am reflecting today, on the fact that Jean Paul II was born in 1920, the same year as my maternal grandfather. I wonder what he thinks tonight, knowing the news about the Pope? I suppose I will know by later today.

On to my little note about the movies that were on TVO tonight. As usual, my mother and I sat down to 'Saturday Night at The Movies.' Tonight the features were "The Collector" (1965) and "Wait Until Dark" (1967). I have linked them for anyone who is interested. In terms of plot, they were quite dissimilar, but both movies were excellently executed. Each one was suspenseful and intriguing. I suppose that does not really divulge much information, but then again, if you are curious, watch the movies for yourself!

Dryden: The Cat Fight

Octavia: I need not ask if you are Cleopatra;
Your haughty carriage-----

Cleopatra: Shows I am a queen:
Nor need I ask you, who you are.

Octavia: A Roman:
A name, that makes and can unmake a queen.

Cleopatra: Your lord, the man who serves me, is a Roman.

Octavia: He was a Roman, till he lost that name,
To be a slave in Egypt; but I come
To free him thence.

Cleopatra: Peace, peace, my lover's Juno.
When he grew weary of that household clog,
He chose my easier bonds.

Octavia: I wonder not
Your bonds are easy: you have long been practised
In that lascivious art: He's not the first
For whom you spread your snares: Let Caesar witness.

Cleopatra: I loved not Caesar, 'twas but gratitude
I paid his love: The worst your malice can,
Is but to say the greatest of mankind
Have been my slave. The next, but far above him
In my esteem, is he whom law calls yours,
But whom his love made mine.

Octavia: I would view nearer {Coming up close to her.}
That face, which has so long usurped my right,
To find the inevitable charms, that catch
Mankind so sure, that ruined my dear lord.

Cleopatra: Oh, you do well to search; for had you known
But half these charms, you had not lost his heart.

Octavia: Far be their knowledge from a Roman lady,
Far from a modest wife! Shame of our sex,
Dost thou not blush to own those black endearments,
That make sin pleasing?

Cleopatra: You may blush, who want them.
If bounteous nature, if indulgent Heaven
Have given me charms to please the bravest man,
Should I not thank them? Should I be ashamed,
And not be proud? I am, that he has loved me;
And when I love not him, Heaven change this face
For one like that.

Octavia: Thou lov'st him not so well.

Cleopatra: I love him better, and deserve him more.

Octavia: You do not; cannot: You have been his ruin.
Who made him cheap at Rome, but Cleopatra?
Who made him scorned abroad, but Cleopatra?
At Actium, who betrayed him? Cleopatra.
Who made his children orphans, and poor me
A wretched widow? only Cleopatra.

Cleopatra: Yet she, who loves him best, is Cleopatra.
If you have suffered, I have suffered more.
You bear the specious title of a wife,
To gild your cause, and draw the pitying world
To favour it: the world condemns poor me.
For I have lost my honour, lost my fame,
And stained the glory of my royal house,
And all to bear the branded name of mistress.
There wants but life, and that too I would lose
For him I love.

Octavia: Be't so, then; take thy wish.

Stranger

Unspoken words to an un-named stranger
Beauty in form – hesitant
The hum of the world slows for a moment
As I observe you, silently, instead of speaking
I write.
What makes your world turn?
What tune plays in your soul?
Tell me?

You get up, not noticing me at all
And your world moves on.