kiwi

This has been making its rounds on the Interwebs, so you may have seen it already, but I love it so much that I'm going to post it here. I'm torn between finding this ridiculously adorable and indescribably sad, but I've decided there's an element of uplift, too, and a profound message about following your dreams. And have I mentioned it's ridiculously adorable?

the capitol of the confederacy and mr. jefferson's university

Alas, break is over and tomorrow I have to drive back to Rochester and start the business of being productive again. I realize that technically, since I am neither teaching nor taking any classes, I don't actually have to be back at any prescribed time or, in fact, do anything remotely useful now that the semester has officially begun. However, symbolically, the first day of classes signals that I need to get my nose back to the grindstone and write my dissertation. Sadly, it will not write itself. Plus, my cats and bird would be very unamused if I left them to starve.

Laments aside, I'm happy to say I've had a wonderful and relaxing time here with my parents, and had the good fortune of seeing several of my old professors (from both undergrad and from my master's program) and hanging out with some very good friends: EC and I got a chance to catch up and commiserate about grad school (though we did very little reminiscing of our middle-school-days, which is probably just as well); LR and I had a yummy dinner at an old haunt; I got to see my friend EB not once but twice and seeing her is always fabulous; I ran into an old friend AW, whom I hadn't seen in forever, out of the blue, and we both made vows to keep in better touch; and my friend LP and I had a lovely day in Richmond, the former Capitol of the Confederacy (not that I would consider that its primary selling point!), where we had two amazing meals and walked through a beautiful old cemetery as well as the requisite sightseeing and window shopping.

Restaurant-wise, if you're ever in Richmond, I highly recommend The Can Can Brasserie in Carytown, both for its ambiance and the quality of the food (I had the duck crepes and they were stellar), and The Hard Shell in Shockoe Slip for terrific seafood.

Dating back to 1928, the Byrd Theatre is a historic landmark in Richmond's Carytown area (on West Cary St.) and has a beautiful facade.

Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond dates back to the Civil War (founded 1847) and reminded me a bit of Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester which was opened in 1838. They're both full of beautiful old Victorian gravestones and Hollywood Cemetery is also home of an impressive stone pyramid in honor of Confederate Women (the second photo below)



Since returning from my day in Richmond, I've enjoyed quite a bit of free time and dancing (Argentine Tango and ballroom dance parties) with my parents. I've been trying to make the most of my break and, in that vein, the three of us managed to make it through the entire first season of 30 Rock in four evenings. I have to say that it was incredibly exciting to see my father jazzed about a television show. Getting him to watch television--especially something as mundane as a sitcom--is usually like pulling teeth. So, I was thrilled that he loved 30 Rock so much--yet another testament to Tina Fey's ineffable brilliance.

Speaking of Tina Fey, her alma mater is the same as mine (except I went to the University of Virginia for my Masters instead of my BA), and yesterday I spent a beautiful, crisp afternoon wandering around the UVa grounds, and meeting with two of my MA professors, one of whom can be credited with encouraging me to apply to UofR in the first place. Without him, I really can't tell what I'd be doing now or if I'd be so happy with my current course of study.

In any case, the sunny winter day afforded me some more opportunities to play with my new camera down in a relatively hidden amphitheater behind the theater building. I have no idea how this area is used (perhaps just as a practice field for various sports, judging by the soccer and lacrosse nets), but I think this may be the proposed site of the new art museum--although that's a proposal that's been in the works since 2002.






Walking around UVa yesterday allowed me an invaluable opportunity to think without the constant glow of my computer, the seduction of the interweb, the addiction to email. It's funny how you can forget what it's like to just go on a nice walk and sit and enjoy your surroundings. Granted, this is more difficult to do in Rochester in the winter, where being outside in January is not pleasant, but I think it's still feasible. So, a belated New Years resolution: to allow more time for simple pleasures without distractions. Don't get me wrong, I love technology. I love television. I love my computer. But sometimes it's good to just let those things go for an hour or two, just to wander.

one doodle that can't be un-did

Just saw Juno with April and her mother yesterday and absolutely adored it. The first few minutes, I worried the film might overdo itself with its own quirkiness, but my fears were quickly allayed as I became hopelessly enthralled by the incredible Ellen Page (and a bevy of other exceedingly talented actors like Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons and Michael Cera; even Jennifer Garner impressed me in her role as the sentimental, slightly overbearing and barely-the-decent-side-of-desperate Vanessa). Page was truly phenomenal, striking a perfect balance in the character of Juno between wisdom beyond her years and the vital naiveta of adolescence, while also managing to embody a teenaged angst overlaid with snark and a charming wit.

a mini year-in-review

Since April returned from her conference, I’ve been a little busy with family stuff and being social and all that jazz so haven’t had time for the seemingly obligatory New Years post. But now we’re sitting still for a few minutes, and I thought I’d take that time to post a little Year-in-Review...in the form of eight questions and answers:

1. What countries did you visit?
Canada, England, Germany

2. What states did you visit/drive through?
Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming

3. What was/were your biggest accomplishments?
Passing my qualifying exams in May (ABD, baby!) and receiving my 1st black belt certificate in November (I passed my black belt testing last year, but you don’t receive the certificate until you’ve trained for a full year as a black belt).

4. What was your most embarrassing moment?
Plant and pool-sitting for my professor for three weeks and turning her pool bright algae-green the day before she returned (it turned out to not be completely my fault, but I was still mortified).

5. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Hanging out with friends (though I did quite a bit of that). Reading.

6. Any new favorite television shows?
30 Rock (Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin are my heroes), Criminal Minds (it gives me nightmares, but I just can’t stay away from the compelling storylines and Paget Brewster) and Murder in Suburbia (even though it’s cheesy as heck and only lasted 12 episodes). I’m rooting for The Sarah Connor Chronices as my new favorite show of 2008, but only time (and the writer’s strike) will tell.

7. What was the best book you read?
A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon

8. What was/were your favorite film(s) of this year?
Eastern Promises, in the drama category, and Lars and the Real Girl, in the comedy category; also, in the honorary category of not-the-best-film-but-I-loved-it-anyway:

The Brave One.

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We started off the New Year with a blast last night with an excellent dinner at a restaurant with April’s parents, brother and partner, and two friends of theirs, and then headed into the casino in the same hotel as the restaurant. April and I each brought $50 which we lost fairly quickly playing nickel slots. April’s mother, however, provided hours of entertainment as she proceeded to win what amounted to at least $1000 at a nickel slot machine. Minus the money she put in and the money she spent on our drinks, etc., she probably walked out of that casino when we left at 1am with a profit of $750! I was very impressed.

Her victorious mood was infectious, and she saw her winning streak as a good omen for the new year. When April asked what our losing streaks said about our prospects for 2008, I countered that $50 could hardly be considered a huge loss in the grand scheme of things and we shouldn’t read too much into it.

In lieu of resolutions, here’s what I took away from the evening: Know your limits and find enjoyment sharing in the triumphs of others.

And don’t leave things up to chance!

Happy New Year, everyone!