I'm feeling much better now ...

... thanks everyone for all the 'get better soon' wishes! My cold seems to have dried up over the past weekend, and I sure am glad!

Since I was feeling sorry for myself, I decided an evening out (with pockets full of kleenex, naturally) at the movies was in order last weekend. I planned to see "Eight Below", but -- to my surprise -- it was sold out. I started to walk out of the theatre and was accosted by some zealot spouting off about the evils of homosexuality, and how gay people can change their ways if they simply down on their knees and ask the Lord to take their gayness away. Made me see red. So, I decided on the spot that I needed to see "Brokeback Mountain" again -- I went opening night and loved it -- and told said zealot that he had helped me decide to go back inside and watch one of the most touching stories about enduring love to grace the silver screen. Then I told him what I thought about HIM! Maybe I'll get to see "Eight Below" this coming weekend!

Anyone know what's happening with Lewiscraft ? I heard a while back the chain was sold -- but didn't hear to who -- and apparently there's a fabulous clearance sale happening in our local store. Does this mean they're going to disappear? Does this mean I might have to resort to craft shopping at [shudder] Walmart?

Darn good thing there's a nice little yarn shop downtown! I made a stop there last weekend to stock up on sock yarn (having completely run out, if you can imagine!) and was introduced to Darlene's two delightful yarn shop companions. You know it doesn't take much coaxing to convince me to fall for the pooch (Golden Lab variety), but I wasn't so sure about the little prickly guy. I've never met a hedgehog up close and personal before, have you? He really was a cute little character -- about the size of your closed fist when napping and about as long as your flat open hand when awake. Very sweet little nose and paws! Hmmm ... I wonder what my boys (Tackle and Vido the Goldfish Bros.) would think of a little hedgehog playmate???

Soooooo, I should be busy doing term paper research, not blogging. What can I say? Tuesdays are for procrastination ... right? Have a good week, all!

Aah ... AAH ... AAH-CHOOOO!!!!!!!!

I've got a cold, the super-duper liquidy kind of head cold. Yup, exactly what I needed exam week [dripping ... pardon the pun ... sarcasm!]. And it won't go away. I thought the common cold was only supposed to last 2 or 3 days? This monster has been with me since last Thursday, and its not showing any signs of packing up its kleenex boxes and moving on yet.

Yes, before you ask or suggest, I've probably tried every remedy known to humankind, from homemade chicken noodle soup (simmered with an entire chicken carcass) to you-name-it-I've-steeped-it tea to the dreaded Buckley's. Most comforting remedy to date: sleep. Which I don't have time to do enough of because it's exam week!

Since posting nothing but bad cold news would really be crappy, I thought I'd add this amusing bit of thought-provoking poetry. Have a good week everyone!

Butt prints in the Sand

One night, I had a wondrous dream;

One set of footprints there was seen:

The footprints of my precious Lord,

But mine were not along the shore.

Then some stranger prints appeared,

And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?

These prints are large and round and neat,

But, Lord, they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,

"For miles I carried you alone.

I challenged you to walk in faith,

But you refused and made me wait.

You disobeyed, you would not grow;

The walk of-faith you would not know.

So I got tired. I got fed up,

And there I dropped you on your butt!

Because in life, there comes a time

When one must fight, and one must climb,

When one must rise and take a stand ...

Or leave their butt prints in the sand."

-author anonymous-

Brokeback Mountain

Saw it last night. Wow! It is a story of enduring love without being syrupy/sappy, and a sad story of hurtin' love without being overly melodramatic, and a narrative of a somewhat touchy subject (particularly in 'good 'ol boys' country) without being unnecessarily graphic. On top of that, damn fine scenery . . . and the 'Wyoming' scenery wasn't bad either. The Johnny Cash movie, Walk the Line, continues to be my favourite of the winter, but Brokeback Mountain deserves every one of its Oscar nominations. I highly recommend you go see it! (Check it out here: http://www.brokebackmountainmovie.com/splash.html )

My first midterm is happening next Monday -- yikes! already! This is a busy semester (aren't they all?) but rather satisfying because 'stuff' is coming together. I can finally see why I studied all that horrible theory crap earlier, and even begin to apply some of it to contemporary topics. For example, one of my term papers is about literacy and social inequality (a topic of personal interest as I am a literacy tutor). Who knew ten years ago that anything those 'ol' dead white guys' (as in Marx, Weber, Durkheim, etc.) had to say would actually become relevant to something in my current world? Another of my term papers is about short people (also a topic of some personal interest, altho I'm not short myself) and social landscapes. I still haven't chosen a topic for the third paper -- which is for a Circumpolar Ethnography class. It has to have something to do with (a) people (alive or dead), and (b) the circumpolar north. How's that for exceedingly unlimited? Any suggestions? (besides the James Bay Cree, which practically EVERYONE wants to write about!)

In addition to literacy issues, I also work with ESL (English as a Second Language) students, and have recently volunteered for a Language Partner program here on campus. My 'buddy' is an International student from China, and so far I've really enjoyed hearing about China's Yunnan province and seeing photos of some very spectacular mountains. Did you know that area has more than 25 different ethnic minority groups? I didn't!

I must share this news: there's a new little person in my life: welcome to the world baby Andrea!

And now I must run. I have 4 hours to study for my midterm before our Language Partner program potluck & games evening.

Oh! I almost forgot! I have an entirely new perspective on the world this week . . . new glasses. Amazing the difference they make! (And amazing the cost of the blasted things . . . )