A list

About a week ago, Fanny and I talked (online, since we live in different cities) and decided to revive this blog. I volunteered to write the first post (supposed to have been up days ago). In the days since, I have been thinking--after all, we need the perfect post to lure people back. It had to be brilliant. Except I couldn't think of what to write about. I started but did not finish quite a lot of posts. Today, I'm giving up. Next time, you'll have a better thought out piece of writing but this is not it.

So you'll have a navel-gazing list:

- I'm currently trying to put together a book proposal.
- A colleague and I have written an article that we'd like to send off to a journal.
- I stay home and write my thesis but the more I write, the more it seems still needs to be written.
- I have no social life at all. I don't even watch soccer or go to the cinema anymore. This is because...

I'm now unemployed. No job. Surprisingly, the unemployment part is not much different to being employed except now I seem to spend 2-3 days in a row wearing pajamas and t-shirts, not leaving home.

This could be a problem since social interaction was (is) not my strong point. It turns out I am quite happy of spending days in solitary musings and/or writing without actually having any desire to talk to people. I have also become (more) cranky so that when I do have to interact with people, I give a passable imitation of a werewolf.

The fact that, these days, I'm living off my meagre savings means I have no desire to go out and about. Going out would mean restaurants/pubs/bookstores, all of which are places where I tend to spend money. Since I returned to the USA 4 weeks ago, I've eaten out once.

Something has to change.

Date

In the hopes of acquiring a social life, I went out to dinner tonight. The chap was fantastic--French and, like all French stereotypes, sophisticated, charming, and all consideration. I was wined (he picked the wine), dined (the restaurant was posh and absolutely beyond my usual student budget) and walked home (he accompanied me).

However, having recently discovered Professional Bull Riding (my sister and I were hooked after a couple of viewings), I'd rather have had one of these types (except without the bull, of course):

Romance at Borders

On Sunday, I accompanied my sister to my local Borders. While she dithered about, trying to decide what to buy to take on her long train journey, I saw that Nalini Singh's Mine to Possess was already available, despite having a release date of 2 September (said date having been etched in my mind since this series is, so far, the only series I have followed since its start). I picked it up and went to pay for it.

The lady behind the counter smiled. I smiled back, gave her my book and waited. She looked at the book, looked at me (decked out in "I'm an astronomer in training" T-shirt that I'd picked up during my summer travels) and said, "I always thought these books were only for one thing. You can tell, can't you, looking at the cover"
Me: Eh?
Her: Well, he's hot, isn't he? Look at that (points out the cover model )
Me: And you can't see his face, which makes him perfect.
Her: Bursts out laughing. Continues laughing loudly. Keeps going until my sister, the other people in line, other staff and even people at the back of the store are looking over . Ohhh....that's funny...hahahah...that is really good. I've not laughed…hahhahah.
Me: Umm...great. Can I take the book, now? (and put it in my bag )
Her: holding on to the book I remember this other book. It had a couple and they were wearing very little, you know, you could see her breasts and it was winter! There was snow everywhere! I couldn't think how they would...
Me: These books are just for fun, I reckon. Not for thinking. Logic doesn't come into it.
Her: Still...this seems a good one...haha... I wonder what he does?

my sister, who'd had enough socialising by now, interrupted and dragged me away but not before I saw two of my current students among the group of people observing all this.


ETA: For some reason, I can't upload pictures or anything right now. Maybe Fanny'll help? Or, just go here to have a look at the cover. I think I've fixed it. I also think I've killed the computer my department gave me. Ah well.

I wish I were exiled

I hadn't heard of either of these shows but I would like to see what happens when a "half-Jewish, half-Persian" 16 year old rich girl from Beverly Hills is shipped to a "remote part of Thailand" (but with cameras following her, right?) to live with a family who sells elephant dung for a living.

Via Jezebel.

Know thyself

In between entertaining myself and my (visiting) sister, prepping for a new semester and generally being in the doldrums, I've been a bad, bad blogger. But, no worries, I'm back and ready and have heaps to say in September. Assuming I'll make it through September, that is. Sometimes, life is not quite the jolly adventure I'd like it to be. But, there're always tests to ensure I'll always know who the "real" me is :)

Your result for How geeky are you?...

Laboratory Geek

You scored 74% Geeky, 84% Cranial and 78% Introverted. You are quirky, intelligent, and like to fly solo. You're too curious to live a hermit's life and would much rather be working on some sort of interesting project though be it alone.

You might find it hard to connect with other people or you might have anxiety in social situations. It may be easier to avoid people as much as possible, but this will only limit the possiblies in your life. The world needs the contibution of people with brains like yours! So what to do? Baby steps. Whenever something feel uncomfortable socially, it's usually the right thing to do. Step outside your comfort zone a bit, take a deep breath and don't be afraid to ask the people around you for help.

Take How geeky are you? at HelloQuizzy

why i like this part of the USA

I *just* had a realisation that I thought I'd share: so, I'm spending the summer on the Western coast of the USA. Northern California (San Francisco and the Bay Area to be precise). I was wandering around town today and thinking why I liked this area so much and reckoned I'd make a list:

1. It's like the best parts of my favourite cities--Sydney and Bangkok--came together and made a baby and this is it.

2. Any type of food/fruit you're after, you can get it somewhere. Often for really cheap. E.g., I had "ngah" (tried to find the English name to no avail but they are reddish fruit and have spine-like things on them) today and bought some "mongkut" (dark red/brown fruit with fleshy white stuff inside) and lychees to take to my dorm with me. In between typing, I'm scarfing down some of the fruit.

3. The shop right next door sells yakult and banana milk as well as Butter Coconut cookies, all staples from my childhood.

4. The many, many second-hand bookstores around the city.

5. The many, many excellent coffee and cakeshops around town.

6. The easy-going attitude towards clothing. I like Bangkok but one would never see locals (or, Asians in general) wearing short shorts or skirts over there. That was something farangs did. I recall being told at work that even non-heeled shoes weren't appropriate (as they weren't "feminine"). My response was that, unlike my boss (and my secretary who actually had a chauffeured Mercedes drive her about!), I had to take public transport in to work. Buses don't usually stop all the way over there--they slow down so you have to run and hope for the best, an activity not conducive to wearing heels. Anyway, clothing. So, here, I see lots of young women, including Asian women, wearing shorts. Not just skinny women but fairly chubby ones too. It's really nice, actually, since I reckon even in Washington (where I usually live), I don't see as many people--of all sizes and shapes-- just wandering around in casual, relaxing gear.

8. The many, many shops selling (mostly Asian-inspired) knickknacks, comic books (of all kinds, including some great small press ones I've found), Doctor Who novels and toys, and especially the people who discuss all these as though it was fairly normal (and not something only a tiny minority was keen on!)

(X-posted)

unsurprised

Your result for The Imaginary-Job Employment Test...

The Scary but Inept Government Agent!

No, you're not a Man in Black. Although that would be seriously cool. Why didn't we think to have a man in black result on this test? Dang it!

Anyway, no, your low Skill and Morality and moderate Humor make you well-suited to a life of getting outwitted. You should dress in dark suits, wear opaque sunglasses, and never-- NEVER hit what you're shooting at.

We can't stress this enough. When renegade heroes come at you-- and they will-- you let them beat you up. You miss them at point-blank range. Whatever it takes so that you look foolish and they look cool.

It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. But hey, at least it's anonymous and thankless, so it's probably not much different than any corporate job you could get...

Take The Imaginary-Job Employment Test at HelloQuizzy

voyeur

While having dinner at an excellent Thai restaurant on 4 July (and practicing my Thai language skills while I was at it. The owner was hugely impressed but I fear that may have been more due to the fact that I asked for this duck thing that I've been craving for ages and apparently it's not something most people at that place ask for. I'll always be known as the peht girl or duck girl, as it were), I realised I was the only person apart from a mid-50's-ish couple sat fairly close to me.

Two things about empty restaurants:
1. Sound carries
2. Can't avoid listening in, really.

Turns out Man and Woman had met on BigOnlineDatingSite (BODS!). They had had a "connection" (Woman's terms) and this was their first in-person date. They liked travelling and food (duh!) but the woman ordered a "mild very mild pad thai". Really, how can you have mild pad thai? Pad thai is mild enough to begin with. Anyway, the man asked for and went with the waitperson's recommendations. Nicely done, that.

As Fanny would tell you, I'm a very slow eater. During that time, I found out more about those two than I ever needed to know. It's good (or scary) to realise, though, that age doesn't make the dating process any easier or less awkward (especially if, like me, you are trying to do your best not to listen in while obviously being perfectly situated to do so)

job talk

As part of my job, I had to attend a BBQ today, one where parents and children hung out and chatted with staff/faculty (I'm "faculty").

One woman, whose kid is in my class, was talking to me about Berkeley and calling me "Mrs. Bum" (I was wearing a name tag that clearly specified "Ms Bum"). After a few times of being called Mrs. Bum, I indicated my tag and said, "Not Mrs, just Ms".

The lady, very nicely, said, "Don't worry dear. There's still time".

I'm amused that "Ms." now seems to have the same connotations as "Miss" used to...or, perhaps, this is a one-off.

dropping by to say Hi!

Fear not, dear readers, I've not abandoned yous. I have loads to say including my new and beloved purchase of a pair of gold, yes gold sandals AND my current inexplicably bruised body. It's so bad that a stranger today stopped me and asked if I were okay...on the streets! Oh, Berkeley :-)

But, not right now. Right now, I've got to go sort out some late-night eating options--burgers? naan and curry? hot dogs? or just beer (does beer count as food?) and try find a 24-hour pharmacy to get some liniment and bandaids for my wounds/bruises.

In the meantime, enjoy the pretty pretty Mr. A.

me = grumpy old woman

I was an at Important Academic Event today and something happened that rather annoyed me. So, as is usual, I'm laying it out here.

It was a seminar-type situation where one person was presenting. There were a couple of professors and junior scholars, including a good friend of the presenter. When it came to Q&A, the Good Friend kept on finishing the presenter's lines/arguments and jumping in when she (presenter) was asked a challenging question or asked to follow up/explain.

It got to the point that the presenter looked at Good Friend, GF jumped in and voila! Later, GF was making a lot of comments about how "tough" the presenter had had it and how the Q&A was unfair.

I was wondering what academics or academics-in-training would make of this? I found it insulting but then I'm the sort to prefer making an arse out of myself solo (and have a regrettable tendency to become highly sarcastic when publicly-challenged/pushed). But, still, I can understand a supervisor/advisor helping out if/when their student is under fire* but a Friend? Especially one who jumped in without the presenter actually being in trouble?



* I'd like to make it clear, though, the general view was the the Presenter was not under fire and the questions, while wankerish in their repetition, were straightforward ones, asking for clarification.

moving on

Earlier this weekend I was thinking deep profound thoughts about friends and friendship. I realised that the friends I hang out with these days do rather different things to those I used to hang out with a year or two ago. It's as though I've reverted to my (usual) self--my time at uni and work overseas--a time before I came to the USA. A time when I refused to set foot in anything resembling a "club" or a "lounge", a time when I hung out watching football (and other sports) in dark, seedy pubs at odd hours of the day, a time when I hung out with people who have "game days/nights" (with the "game" in question being board games or video games), a time when I go watch films and plays with people (and end up in a pub after, discussing those).

I also realised that I have two groups of friends: one, people I keep in touch with via email (or, now, through Facebook) and whom I've known for over a decade and who seem to visit me at odd times and places (I had a vistor last weekend, a friend I'd not seen in nearly 4 years). The other group is friends I've just recently acquired--most of them in the past year. Sadly enough, apart from Fanny*, most of my friends from the years-in-between seem to have dropped out of touch and/or are living elsewhere.

I wonder if that means I've somehow become stable and set in this place where everyone is transient? I wonder if that means I should look into moving on elsewhere?

* Fanny doesn't get the luxury of not being in touch since, apart from us here, I also invite myself to her place every once in a while. Next month, for instance.

Fashionable.

As one who has sworn up and down I would not wear these rubbery, hideous, produced by a company owned by Republicans faux-footwear, I am all kinds of embarrassed by how much I want these:

Except, you know. Not silver.

in which i get called "baby"

Worked most of today, designing syllabi for the two classes I'm teaching over the summer and grading papers. Then, went and joined some mates for a few drinks. On my way back home, it started raining so took the bus. This ensued:

(at my stop) me: Thanks very much, have a good night.
bus driver (a bloke): good night baby.
me (in my head): baby???

I'm not sure why "baby" makes me feel uncomfortable while I'm fine with being called "love" in places like Australia and Wales. It's probably some odd cultural hang-up. Also, probably some sort of residue of having watched Dirty Dancing as a young 'un.

Talking about remnants from the past, did yous read that NKOTB are reforming?

in which i'm bereft of words

Except to say: I saw Russell Crowe sing on Saturday night. Really. With one of my (nostalgic) favourite bands Great Big Sea.

Everything before GBS came on stage had convinced me that age has caught up with me. Drunken louts crowd-surfing and random blokes saying "oh, so how are you Irish?" had nearly made me go home before GBS came on. But, memories of Australia (where I first heard GBS) and of their previous concert made me stick it out. Then, the fantastic surprise. The introduction was well-done and RC was fab.

in which I'm a year older

and yet not much wiser.

Spring break is half over and I've not done much of what I thought I'd have done. That means you, dear reader(s), will have to remain unentertained and/or go elsewhere for your "fun fix" for the next few days. I have two papers to finish (for a conference I'm headed off to in less than ten days), 30-some papers to grade and a journal issue to send off to the publishers.

Of course, spring has chosen this time to make itself known and it's difficult to get things done when it's 60 degrees Fahrenheit out there and people are frolicking in the streets.

One thing though: as I was sat on the metro this morning, I noticed a chap in the seat across me was reading this. I find it intriguing and wonder whether he reckons his sister is a werewolf (ontologically-speaking) or whether he wants to understand whether she is a werewolf and, if so, how to study her (epistemology).

I suppose I should get back to write those papers.

leap day

Google has a leaping frog where the "l" should be.

A couple of my colleagues at uni told me this is the one day of the year when girls can ask out blokes (and *gasp* even ask for the bloke's hand in marriage!). Which seems rather sad and I don't know if it's even true or they are just pulling the leg of the furriner.

In any case, let's take it as a slightly odd traditional (if not tribal) custom and, in the spirit of the day dear readers, take this as an open invite to join me whenever you are in my part of the world. You will, almost certainly, not have a good time. I hate good times as much as I hate the idea of good. Or time. I actually think I don't much like time.

Where was I? Time. Of course. Did anyone else see the episode of Lost yesterday when Desmond (and who knew a haircut and the addition of a long, Tom Baker-y scarf would make Des oh-so-fanciable, eh?) time travelled?

Wait--oh, yes, good time. No, that will probably not be on the agenda. At all. But I've almost perfected the interested nodding and the encouraging hums so don't be discouraged. I can hold up my end of a conversation. Or, if more than one of yous were to want to join me, I can hold up various conversations.

As noted here. I can hold various conversations at the same time. Right. Invite. Whenever yous are in town. Drop me a line.

homesick...

...and even the online world knows it. My score on the "where should you travel?" test:

Your Score: Thai Resort

You scored 64% culture, 26% social, 18% activity, and 58% adventure!

Thailand...an exciting, culturally rich destination that offers you all the relaxation you can handle. This is a more satisfying place to visit than the usual hot 'n sunny places because you are experiencing a very unique place. The beaches are gorgeous and you can chill out in a hammock and be left alone. But you can also venture out into the floating markets, restaurants and even ride an elephant. The resorts are an oasis of tranquility surrounded by a world of adventures. It really is the best of both worlds. You can stay in a typical resort, or for more privacy, you can stay in a beach house all to yourself. Thai food is one of the most popular cuisines in the world, but they also make all types of dishes to suit all tastes. You will come back feeling like you've been enriched and energized.

Link: The Where Should YOU Travel Test

Apparently "steamy romances" are bad for you

And I just finished one * (if only she'd left out God, it'd have been a much better book. Why oh Why was God needed in the midst of all the shagging? And there was no shapeshifting, which disappointed me)

But I digress. Today's almost Valentine's Day tip comes from Christianity Today's Elizabeth Marvin who tells us all how she "overcame her addiction to steamy romance novels" with the implication that "so can you".

Let me deconstruct. She starts off by:

"...Amid the usual traumas of adolescence, I knew I could turn to my mom, but my heart cried out for my dad, who always seemed uncomfortable in my presence." (TMI. Far far TMI and perhaps Dad knew she was going to turn out to be a bit of a nutter?)

Then...she was nearly taken over by teh evil romances...

"Romance novels fall into three categories, based on sexual content. The most innocent romances are sweet, stressing courtship rather than sex. Following those are spicy/sensual and erotica. I never ventured into the latter category, but sampled enough of the second to know which authors wrote the kinds of love stories I enjoyed." ( and, for anyone who takes this bit seriously, I believe I have a bridge that I would like you to buy)

They almost took her over to the dark side...

"Looking to soothe my conscience [that God would not approve of all this reading of sex], I found a statistic in a women's magazine claiming wives who read romance novels engaged in 40 percent more sex than women who didn't read romances. When I mentioned this fact to my husband, he grinned and said, "Why do you think I've never complained?" But then I read a newspaper article about a local romance writers' convention. An editor casually described the genre's most sexually explicit fare as soft-core pornography. I was horrified. That remark put an entirely new spin on my romance addiction—and explained why these books were so difficult to put down." ( Of course! They were the evil PORN!! Temptations from the Devil!!! )

Then the father returns. The biological one, of course. She's still waiting for the other one to make himself heard.

"After serious time on my knees, I knew God wanted me to deal with the spiritual roadblocks in my life: my romance reading and my distant relationship with my father. Even then I didn't realize the two were related." (on her knees--egads! )

It gets weirder after that. Read the rest for yourself here. Apparently, romance novel-reading was a substitute for her not having her father's love and, once she forgave her father for not giving her enough time and attention, she could rid herself of her "addiction".

It's nutters like these who give readers and Christians a bad name. Gah.

h/t Dear Author

* I also read this over the weekend, while I was laid up in bed in between more bouts of throwing up. I'll blog about that tomorrow I reckon since it's perfect for Valentine's Day book blogging. Really.

Knackered.

I wish I could say that I have a valid reason for not posting and thus amusing all of you(s) with details of my mundane life. The only reason I have is that I'm knackered. A 48-hour (and sort of continuing) stomach bug has led to my subsisting on a diet of dry toast and water (anything else is upchucked. You get the pic) and worrying about how I am to accomplish all the work I have to finish by the end of this week, both for my class and for the new job.
I did have plans to blog about my experience of the American election process but I fear my brain right now cannot give adequate attention to anything remotely resembling intelligent thought. When the receptacle in which said brain resides has spent much of the past 48 hours bent over a porcelain bowl and being rather too close to the water there than it needed to be, the brain goes on strike. Or, recalls bits of this scene and isn't too amused*. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.
What? TMI you say? Well, that's all you get for being here. Further deep thoughts about the state of the universe or at least the bits that concern me to follow...

* And, we all remember where the toilet led to in HP and the Chamber of Secrets.