A Memorium for the Week that Was

Let's start with Saturday, at the record store. My night dipped into the surreal when a lost hiker, who happened to be a Major in the Irish army (actual, not IRA), stopped in for directions. That may have been the coolest half hour I've ever had at a job. If you want the full story, talk to me in person. It just isn't the same story without the Irish accent.

Speaking of Ireland, it was St. Patrick's Day yesterday. Congrats to all of the drunkards who managed to cross the street against the light, and not find a fender up your tailpipe.

In other news, I'm still trying to figure out ways to post some of my work online. By 'trying', I mean that I'm thinking about it in the scant free time.

One thing I can impart is this: You take metonymic theory from Lacan, use it to jump to Auslander's 'persona', and apply it to the use of quotations in the current run of JSA. This creates a great tension between these characters and their legacy, of quotation versus original.

That's the gist of the paper I'm presenting on Wednesday, in San Diego. I realize it doesn't make much sense without the other eight pages of writing. But it took me forever to get that clear, simple progression, so I wanted to share. My advisor kicks so much ass.

Why is it called 'Spring Break'?

1) It is not spring. I don't say that only because I'm in sub-freezing Ohio. The vernal equinox occurs March 20/21, marking the technical beginning of Spring.
(Granted, other schools have their breaks closer to the equinox, and we have to call the break something... Maybe I'm just bitter because I have freezing rain to look forward to this week.)

2) I know this is subjective, but it sure hasn't been a break. I spent two days in Pittsburgh with Steph, Tony, Geoff, and Corsendonk beer, but other than that it's all been about work and chores and homework. I've got a Lost & Damned army to build, and I still haven't finished a single unit. Grumblecakes, I tell you.

Geekdom Riff, Op. 3

My job(s). The current job, staff member in the Film Production Lab, tends to be of the "hurry-up-and-wait" variety. This week has been uneventful, allowing me to post on a regular basis. Once back from Spring Break, though, it'll probably go back to the "filling six large check-outs, telling the other six that we're out of equipment and they need to reschedule" routine.

Then there is Finders Records. For a retail gig, you cannot get better than this. It allows me to have a pretentious taste in hip music. Not really, but I get to hear a lot of cool shit. If only there wasn't the occasional basket-case customer...

Finally, we have my columns for the BG News. Yes, it may not have the structured schedule of the other two, but I spend hours on an column, researching and writing. Being a grad student, even a couple hours a week is a big commitment.

So, I'm crazy. You know what? I just fired off an e-mail to Pagan Publishing. See, they're in need of Cthulhu-philes who're willing to write & playtest for them, with very little financial recompense. Please, by all that is eldritch, sign me up. Crazy, I know.

(This post brought to you by The Art of Hellboy, a birthday gift from my ladyfriend, Steph.)

Look at me, I can update! Aren't you all proud of me?

Anyhow, I'm working in the Film Lab, listening to some fine, fine music... and it strikes me. More people need to hear this stuff. I seem to be on a woman/piano kick lately. Besides the new Tori Amos disc, I'm really loving the new Regina Spektor. All must give her a listen. The Dresden Dolls, too. Do it. I've given you the links, go. This minor little blog will be here when you're done. Go.

For those still around/coming back, I'm working on getting more of my work/ideas on these sites. I'm just not sure the best way to do so. I want to post my performance piece on the aesthetics of swearing, but it's a bit long to read as text on a blog. We'll see. It'll be posted on Samizdat sometime soon, in theory.

Meanwhile, my latest column for ye olde News is here. I like it, though I'm noticing sentence fragments that disappeared somewhere in the submission/revision/editing/placement process. Huh.

Geekdom Riff, Op. 2

Days ago, I was watching an episode of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! ("Recycling," to be exact). When they reference sports teams with Native American mascots, I thought of Matt Fossa, who I've not heard of in ages. I thought he'd get a kick out of P&T's comment.

Shortly thereafter, my co-worker was engaging in small talk about the Cleveland Indians. Again, where was Fossa for the timely rant on Cleveland baseball?

Cut to last week. I get an invite from E. Sean Medina, looking to set up a fantasy baseball league. Lo and behold, guess who else is in the league... Matt ever-lovin' Fossa.

At this moment, I notice both my fantasy leagues. Between the two of them, I'm connected with my early undergrad years, my 'Black Hole' undergrad years, my Pittsburgh year, and my current Masters/Finders era. How's that for illuminating of the condition of (post)Modernity?

(This post brought to you by Stephen Duncombe's Zines: Notes from Underground.)