From the end of a review:
Parental Advisory: Where to start. ... This movie contains George Carlin's seven dirty words strung together in every imaginable combination, vivid talk about controversial sexual positions, vivid talk about sex with minors, racial epithets, food tampering, dozens of blasphemies, scenes with strong allusions to bestiality and a bunch of other stuff we're probably forgetting.
Friday, July 21, 2006
You're a Good (Wo)Man, Charlie Brown
So, today has been an interesting day.
First, I played the good samaritan and called 311 when I saw this HUGE pile of garbage that had obviously spilled out of at least two different hefty black garbage bags and was now lying on the corner of 52nd and 1st. The heap of congealed vegetables and strings of turkey meat and other indistinguishable food left-overs promised to start smelling foully soon and was taking up a good portion of the sidewalk. So I called the city and filed a report, good New Yorker that I am.
Second, on the train to work I ended up having a very amiable, almost too friendly, chat with another commuter about the heat and the week's weather. The whole time I had a Shalom Sesame song stuck in my head where the muppet characters want to talk to each other but they're embarrassed, so the guy decides to break the ice by talking about the heat: "Cain cham meod, it sure is hot!" SO cute. If you haven't seen it, come over and I'll play it for you. Adorable.
Third, I've spent almost the last hour talking to a staff assistant at the Virginia office (he and I frequently chat via instant messenger and have bonded over baseball and a dislike of the Red Sox) about the situation in Israel. It's nice to just talk it all out and hear other people's arguments, especially when they're in line with one's own views and provide other ways to make the point. It's so amazing how many angles you can take, and still come out with the same answer: terrorism has no place in the world.
Interesting to note, and absolutely pertinent given the above: Instant Messaging was invented by Israelis (along with cell phones, centrino technology, and a whole host of other important everyday things). Imagine not having that kind of innovation. I can't.
Speaking of the current crisis/ war; if you haven't yet read the Opinion page of today's New York Times, you absolutely must. I'll probably send out an email with the text included b/c they're Times Select articles, but if you don't get that email and want to read them, just ask me and I'll send it right over. Very very important to read Koeppel's and Friedman's articles.
Saw Lady in the Water last night, I really liked it. Found it to be very entertaining, and definitely deep, though the later is still percolating. It's absolutely one of those movies where you have to let it sit for a while, ruminate and relive and all that. It's different from all of his past movies, and yet retains the same style and nuances. Sam said that it is by far Shyamalan's most personal work and I would agree. Besides, any movie with Bill Irwin and Bob Balaban is an instant success with me. I'm easy to please in that way.
First, I played the good samaritan and called 311 when I saw this HUGE pile of garbage that had obviously spilled out of at least two different hefty black garbage bags and was now lying on the corner of 52nd and 1st. The heap of congealed vegetables and strings of turkey meat and other indistinguishable food left-overs promised to start smelling foully soon and was taking up a good portion of the sidewalk. So I called the city and filed a report, good New Yorker that I am.
Second, on the train to work I ended up having a very amiable, almost too friendly, chat with another commuter about the heat and the week's weather. The whole time I had a Shalom Sesame song stuck in my head where the muppet characters want to talk to each other but they're embarrassed, so the guy decides to break the ice by talking about the heat: "Cain cham meod, it sure is hot!" SO cute. If you haven't seen it, come over and I'll play it for you. Adorable.
Third, I've spent almost the last hour talking to a staff assistant at the Virginia office (he and I frequently chat via instant messenger and have bonded over baseball and a dislike of the Red Sox) about the situation in Israel. It's nice to just talk it all out and hear other people's arguments, especially when they're in line with one's own views and provide other ways to make the point. It's so amazing how many angles you can take, and still come out with the same answer: terrorism has no place in the world.
Interesting to note, and absolutely pertinent given the above: Instant Messaging was invented by Israelis (along with cell phones, centrino technology, and a whole host of other important everyday things). Imagine not having that kind of innovation. I can't.
Speaking of the current crisis/ war; if you haven't yet read the Opinion page of today's New York Times, you absolutely must. I'll probably send out an email with the text included b/c they're Times Select articles, but if you don't get that email and want to read them, just ask me and I'll send it right over. Very very important to read Koeppel's and Friedman's articles.
Saw Lady in the Water last night, I really liked it. Found it to be very entertaining, and definitely deep, though the later is still percolating. It's absolutely one of those movies where you have to let it sit for a while, ruminate and relive and all that. It's different from all of his past movies, and yet retains the same style and nuances. Sam said that it is by far Shyamalan's most personal work and I would agree. Besides, any movie with Bill Irwin and Bob Balaban is an instant success with me. I'm easy to please in that way.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
You'll Never Walk Alone
Bill Simmons is still my New Best Friend and has solidified his position there with his most recent column chronicling his search for an English Premeir League (soccer/football) team to support. Aside from being fantastically written and accessible to sports fans with varying degrees of soccer-knowledge, it's absolutely inspiring. Throughout reading the article (which can be found on ESPN.com Page 2) I kept wondering why on earth I don't watch more soccer. The biggest reason is that we simply don't get a channel that airs soccer, so my watching would be damned near impossible. But I'm definitely thinking that more trips to Mr. Dennehy's are in order--I'm assuming that as an authentic Irish pub, they show games.
Reading Simmons' fantastic breakdown of the British teams, I have to say that I absolutely agree with him that English football has something that American sports are severely lacking for the most part: spirit. And not just "my team is awesome" assertions in everyday conversation, but real face-paint wearing, top-of-your-lungs screaming, team-song singing, bust-a-vein fan revelry. Case in point: Liverpool. I've heard before how fantastically committed and downright crazy those fans are, but watching YouTube clips of a sea of red-clad fans belting out You'll Never Walk Alone gives new appreciation to the kind of energy fans can supply. And that's just during regular season games-- the enthusiam increases many-fold when playoffs are in full swing.
While Yankee fans are certainly better than most in American sports, even we have much to learn from our British counterparts. The bleacher-creatures do an admirable job with their team salutes at the beginning of every game, and when there's 2 outs in the 9th and were just one strike away from winning the game, there is certainly an acceptable amount of noise--helped along by "Freddie Sez" Shulman and his clanging pot. However I say more energy! Next time I go to a game, I'm busting out the face paint. Obviously something to be introduced to the Stadium slowly so that it catches on like a good idea and I'm not seen as that weirdo girl with the crayon on her face. However, when at the Giants game oh-so-many years ago, painting a huge "G" on my cheek earned me a couple seconds of air-time on the Jumbo-tron and, apparantly, national television, so clearly someone out there thinks it's a good idea. Watch out, Dave Seid, I may be painting your face as well.
In other news, I'm seeing Lady In The Water tonight. The ads for it always throw me because the face in the center (the blue-tinted androgynous one) which actually belongs to Bryce Dallas Howard looks exactly like Elijah Wood. So bizzare. I read an article which, along with zinging M. Night Shyamalan (or however you spell his name) for his king-size ego, suggests that this film may be far different from his past cinematic ventures. Also notable is that he split with Disney because he was insistent on casting himself as an author who's story ends up changing the world. Hmmm, maybe there IS something to this super-inflated ego rumor.
Anyway, I really have liked his past movies (though didn't see the Village, which was widely panned) so even though I'm somewhat apprehensive about this one, it's absolutely worth seeing based on previous experience. Plus, I'm meeting my mom for dinner beforehand which means I don't have to buy my own. Always a plus, particularly on my budget.
Have "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day stuck in my head. Not a bad song to have revolving around. And, as always, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.
Reading Simmons' fantastic breakdown of the British teams, I have to say that I absolutely agree with him that English football has something that American sports are severely lacking for the most part: spirit. And not just "my team is awesome" assertions in everyday conversation, but real face-paint wearing, top-of-your-lungs screaming, team-song singing, bust-a-vein fan revelry. Case in point: Liverpool. I've heard before how fantastically committed and downright crazy those fans are, but watching YouTube clips of a sea of red-clad fans belting out You'll Never Walk Alone gives new appreciation to the kind of energy fans can supply. And that's just during regular season games-- the enthusiam increases many-fold when playoffs are in full swing.
While Yankee fans are certainly better than most in American sports, even we have much to learn from our British counterparts. The bleacher-creatures do an admirable job with their team salutes at the beginning of every game, and when there's 2 outs in the 9th and were just one strike away from winning the game, there is certainly an acceptable amount of noise--helped along by "Freddie Sez" Shulman and his clanging pot. However I say more energy! Next time I go to a game, I'm busting out the face paint. Obviously something to be introduced to the Stadium slowly so that it catches on like a good idea and I'm not seen as that weirdo girl with the crayon on her face. However, when at the Giants game oh-so-many years ago, painting a huge "G" on my cheek earned me a couple seconds of air-time on the Jumbo-tron and, apparantly, national television, so clearly someone out there thinks it's a good idea. Watch out, Dave Seid, I may be painting your face as well.
In other news, I'm seeing Lady In The Water tonight. The ads for it always throw me because the face in the center (the blue-tinted androgynous one) which actually belongs to Bryce Dallas Howard looks exactly like Elijah Wood. So bizzare. I read an article which, along with zinging M. Night Shyamalan (or however you spell his name) for his king-size ego, suggests that this film may be far different from his past cinematic ventures. Also notable is that he split with Disney because he was insistent on casting himself as an author who's story ends up changing the world. Hmmm, maybe there IS something to this super-inflated ego rumor.
Anyway, I really have liked his past movies (though didn't see the Village, which was widely panned) so even though I'm somewhat apprehensive about this one, it's absolutely worth seeing based on previous experience. Plus, I'm meeting my mom for dinner beforehand which means I don't have to buy my own. Always a plus, particularly on my budget.
Have "Wake Me Up When September Ends" by Green Day stuck in my head. Not a bad song to have revolving around. And, as always, Suite: Judy Blue Eyes.
Ani Ohevet Haifa
I just got an email from my friend, Jess, whom I met in Haifa in the fall
(I absolutely adore her). She spent the whole year in Haifa and is actually
still there (for just another week) and sent out a description of what living
there now is like:
Anyways, some of you asked what life in Haifa is like now, and well, it's quiet; I haven't been outside, like really outside for a walk or to a park and *definitely* not to a beach in five days. Instead, I've been in and out of the bomb shelter at my friend's in mid-town or at my boyfriend's up-town when the air raid siren goes off, and I met all of the neighbors, which I suppose would be really nice in other circumstances, like, say, if people weren't launching rockets at us.
If you know anything about the topography of Haifa, you'll know that the entire city is built on a mountain, with neighborhoods on every level. However, what most people don't know is the further up the mountain the better off (socio-economically) the residents are, and that most of the rockets are hitting the lower levels of the mountain and outlying areas, which means that the people getting rockets shot at them every hour are generally not very well off, and having giant holes blown in their houses probably isn't helping the situation.
Now, Haifa is not like Beirut, what with neighborhoods flattened to the ground/no longer existing and stuff, but it's a ghost town. No one is at the beach (though I wouldn't be able to verify that) because rockets land in the sea and nearby. No one is at the malls or the movie theatres because it's hard to hear the air raid siren from inside and also most of the malls and movie theatres are in direct line of fire.
Only essential services are open, which means the stores and restaurants and pools and markets are essentially closed. There are very few cars on the street. No one is playing in the park, and people are generally staying inside with their families. A lot of people have fled south to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Jerusalem being the wiser choice because Tel Aviv is actually reachable by Hezbollah rockets (theIsraeli Air Force deflected one en route to Tel Aviv a few days ago, but people are still going to Tel Aviv en masse).
If I tell you that this is SO SO unlike Haifa, it would be a complete understatement. It was always a busy, beautiful city, with people outside going to restaurants, bars, the mall at all hours. It's such a social city, with the shuk in Hadar brimming with people, even on the days were the produce was freshest and therefore most expensive. I can barely imagine the
streets being so empty, or the Grand Kanyon mall without hordes of men crowded around big screen tv's showing the Maccabi Haifa matches. It's also so depressing to think of what
this is doing to the Haifa and Israeli economies. With everything closed and the reserves called up, the country must be at a standstill. Is it bizzare that all I want to do is go back?
(I absolutely adore her). She spent the whole year in Haifa and is actually
still there (for just another week) and sent out a description of what living
there now is like:
Anyways, some of you asked what life in Haifa is like now, and well, it's quiet; I haven't been outside, like really outside for a walk or to a park and *definitely* not to a beach in five days. Instead, I've been in and out of the bomb shelter at my friend's in mid-town or at my boyfriend's up-town when the air raid siren goes off, and I met all of the neighbors, which I suppose would be really nice in other circumstances, like, say, if people weren't launching rockets at us.
If you know anything about the topography of Haifa, you'll know that the entire city is built on a mountain, with neighborhoods on every level. However, what most people don't know is the further up the mountain the better off (socio-economically) the residents are, and that most of the rockets are hitting the lower levels of the mountain and outlying areas, which means that the people getting rockets shot at them every hour are generally not very well off, and having giant holes blown in their houses probably isn't helping the situation.
Now, Haifa is not like Beirut, what with neighborhoods flattened to the ground/no longer existing and stuff, but it's a ghost town. No one is at the beach (though I wouldn't be able to verify that) because rockets land in the sea and nearby. No one is at the malls or the movie theatres because it's hard to hear the air raid siren from inside and also most of the malls and movie theatres are in direct line of fire.
Only essential services are open, which means the stores and restaurants and pools and markets are essentially closed. There are very few cars on the street. No one is playing in the park, and people are generally staying inside with their families. A lot of people have fled south to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Jerusalem being the wiser choice because Tel Aviv is actually reachable by Hezbollah rockets (theIsraeli Air Force deflected one en route to Tel Aviv a few days ago, but people are still going to Tel Aviv en masse).
If I tell you that this is SO SO unlike Haifa, it would be a complete understatement. It was always a busy, beautiful city, with people outside going to restaurants, bars, the mall at all hours. It's such a social city, with the shuk in Hadar brimming with people, even on the days were the produce was freshest and therefore most expensive. I can barely imagine the
streets being so empty, or the Grand Kanyon mall without hordes of men crowded around big screen tv's showing the Maccabi Haifa matches. It's also so depressing to think of what
this is doing to the Haifa and Israeli economies. With everything closed and the reserves called up, the country must be at a standstill. Is it bizzare that all I want to do is go back?
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Darth Vader Musical
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M_NALyl9Sr4&search=darth%20vader%3A%20the%20musical
What else is there to say?
What else is there to say?
Oh What a Night!
Did anyone else catch last night's Yankee game? I think the NYTimes said it best when it described the game as going from mundane to wild to weird. For those of you who didn't catch it, we were down 4-2 in the 9th as it began to thunder storm. But we stuck in there, and came up with a huge rally to tie it. Thank you Andy Phillips (who looks eerily similar to my boss) who hussled out a double--and when it's Ichiro fielding the ball, that's no easy feat--and was driven in by the guy who pinch hit for Nick Green (name escapes me). Bubba (my darling!) who pinch ran for nameless player made it to 2nd on a wild pitch and then to home on a sac fly by Damon to tie the score. A-Rod was up, but then the sky really opened up so they called a rain delay with A-Rod 3-1 in his at-bat. So insane! Unfortunately I fell asleep during the Paul O'Neil Yankeeography (which I'd seen before) that they play during all rain delays so I didn't get to see the fantastic ending. But, after a 2 hour delay, Cabrera hit a walk off homer in the 11th to seal the deal. I'll bet Torre really enjoyed his birthday.
In other news I have been ferociously working all day on a project that I really care about. SO awesome to feel productive, useful and all the rest. I've even been writing some survey questions (which may or may not make it into the final cut, but I'm writing and doing something that most interns don't work on). Solid.
For those of you who have been actively searching on my behalf since my first blog post, I found and ordered a pair of wellies so that's done. I'm very excited and hope to hell they fit. I'm always wary of ordering clothes from a catalogue because they inevitably don't fit and in the weirdest places, too. Bah.
In other news, the weather at 9am was lovely. I hope it stays.
In other news I have been ferociously working all day on a project that I really care about. SO awesome to feel productive, useful and all the rest. I've even been writing some survey questions (which may or may not make it into the final cut, but I'm writing and doing something that most interns don't work on). Solid.
For those of you who have been actively searching on my behalf since my first blog post, I found and ordered a pair of wellies so that's done. I'm very excited and hope to hell they fit. I'm always wary of ordering clothes from a catalogue because they inevitably don't fit and in the weirdest places, too. Bah.
In other news, the weather at 9am was lovely. I hope it stays.
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
A Case of the Mondays
It's 10:30am and I'm already eating my lunch. The office is nearly empty and solitaire is not going well. My eyes are already bugging out and refusing to focus (though with my trusty new glasses, we're putting off the point where they go completely kaput for a bit longer).
After work today, I'm meeting my dad for a drink at our pub, Mr. Dennehy's. I really like that I can say that now. I'm meeting my dad for a drink. It sounds so adult, so very mature. It's almost weird, almost.
The problem with packing your own lunch is that no matter how hard you try, or how good the ingredients are, there's always a better version on sale "downstairs" for $7.95. I also never pack enough, so I end up being hungry again very quickly and have to go buy something, which thus defeats the purpose of packing one's own lunch. I suppose this could all be easily remedied by bringing along carrot sticks, a piece of fruit, some yogurt, but really I am far too lazy. Doesn't speak well of my personality at all, but there it is.
In other news, I love how this Bush microphone gaffe is being treated as an actual story, rather than just a funny incident that makes the G8 summit, thankfully, have a humorous side. They're asking Blair and Bush about it, as if there's anything scandalous about using the word shit--particularly in reference to this kind of situation. Please, Middle East diplomacy would would spur the Pope into cursing (which by the way, I am convinced he does irregardless of the subject).
I am hot and cold at the same time. The air is on ultra-igloo high, but we opened a window. I am waiting for us to have weather in the office.
After work today, I'm meeting my dad for a drink at our pub, Mr. Dennehy's. I really like that I can say that now. I'm meeting my dad for a drink. It sounds so adult, so very mature. It's almost weird, almost.
The problem with packing your own lunch is that no matter how hard you try, or how good the ingredients are, there's always a better version on sale "downstairs" for $7.95. I also never pack enough, so I end up being hungry again very quickly and have to go buy something, which thus defeats the purpose of packing one's own lunch. I suppose this could all be easily remedied by bringing along carrot sticks, a piece of fruit, some yogurt, but really I am far too lazy. Doesn't speak well of my personality at all, but there it is.
In other news, I love how this Bush microphone gaffe is being treated as an actual story, rather than just a funny incident that makes the G8 summit, thankfully, have a humorous side. They're asking Blair and Bush about it, as if there's anything scandalous about using the word shit--particularly in reference to this kind of situation. Please, Middle East diplomacy would would spur the Pope into cursing (which by the way, I am convinced he does irregardless of the subject).
I am hot and cold at the same time. The air is on ultra-igloo high, but we opened a window. I am waiting for us to have weather in the office.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Why Bill Simmons is my New Best Friend:
From the Page 2 mail bag:
Q: Which is better, the Dodger Dog or the Fenway Frank? Do you prefer boiled and split top? Or do you like foot-long and steamed? I feel like Drama and Turtle at Sundance, but you get the idea. Please help us resolve this issue.
--Andrew C., Boston
SG: God bless the comedic power of the Fenway Frank, but has anyone ever walked into Fenway and said, "Man, I can't wait to tear into a Fenway Frank. They're delicious!" You can't find a more mediocre hot dog. But the Dodger Dog lived up the hype -- it's long and juicy, even a little salty, and you can definitely get a whole meal out of it. No contest.
(P.S.: I know the previous paragraph is going to lead to about 700 "Who wrote the Dodger Dog review, Bill Simmons or Richard Simmons?" e-mails. But there's really no way to write positively about a hot dog without sounding like you're reviewing a porn movie or writing a trashy novel. You have to admit.)
Q: Which is better, the Dodger Dog or the Fenway Frank? Do you prefer boiled and split top? Or do you like foot-long and steamed? I feel like Drama and Turtle at Sundance, but you get the idea. Please help us resolve this issue.
--Andrew C., Boston
SG: God bless the comedic power of the Fenway Frank, but has anyone ever walked into Fenway and said, "Man, I can't wait to tear into a Fenway Frank. They're delicious!" You can't find a more mediocre hot dog. But the Dodger Dog lived up the hype -- it's long and juicy, even a little salty, and you can definitely get a whole meal out of it. No contest.
(P.S.: I know the previous paragraph is going to lead to about 700 "Who wrote the Dodger Dog review, Bill Simmons or Richard Simmons?" e-mails. But there's really no way to write positively about a hot dog without sounding like you're reviewing a porn movie or writing a trashy novel. You have to admit.)
Have subconsciously taken to "sports-casting" my own solitaire games--and in a British accent no less. "And there goes the four on the five, the three on the four, what a silly move as there was already a three on another pile--oh wait! Our champion has employed the ever-useful Undo button and is presently rectifying the mistake. Good catch! She proceeds with unearthing an Ace! Fantastic, she unloads all the superfluous clubs that were clogging up good red cards and now runs through the deck placing the spades on the now free cards. Oh dear, she seems to be stuck, nothing in the deck is helping, could this be the end of our champion's run? Oh! Classic! She's spotted the seven hiding way in the back. And she's done it! She continues the streak!"
I am mad in the head. I didn't even realize I was doing it until I started talking out loud. Luckily it was very quiet so no one heard me. But still...
In other news, President Bush's language got a little fresh at the G8 summit in a microphone gaffe. A side conversation he and Prime Minister Blair were engaged in was, unbeknownst to them, picked up by the mics that were still on. Debating what to do about the erupting situation with Hezbollah and Israel, Bush said: Bush replied: "See, the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hizbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over." Aside from the fact that it's improper use of the word irony, he's completely right. Whoa, was that the world tilting on it's axis? Hmm, perhaps it was pigs soaring into flight. Nevertheless, the key to this situation is clearly to get those stupid terrorists to sit down and shut up. Now, Mr. President. Any ideas?
So I agreed to participate in a study being done by a friend of a friend at Northwestern about Jewish college students and their religious identity (or something like that, it's been a while since I actually read the explanation). I'm starting to get a little nervous that I won't have much to say or that I'll be terribly incoherent (which anyone who's heard me tell a story can attest, is not exactly outside the realm of possibilites). I think perhaps I may be filmed, for some reason "documentary" is associated with the project in my head, so I'm thinking I read in the explanation that she's putting together a film on Jewish identity. Hmm, I better double-check that so I can dress accordingly. There's nothing worse than being the visual proof that Brandeis is where the ugly Jews go. (horrible, despicable, simply awful to say, I know, but so so true for the most-part--hmm, hopefully I'll have the diplomacy NOT to mention that in the interview...)
Have been trying desperately to get myself to work on my senior thesis. I think it could be a really great and interesting thing to research, and right now all I need to do is write a 2-page proposal. Not terribly hard, right? Heh heh, not if you're me! I'm really and truly impossible. And, to make it even worse, I know that this thesis, if done well, would absolutely be a leg up in helping me land a job in an area I'm interested in. I'm thinking that a good topic would be: How did the moral stigmatization attached to HIV/AIDS stymie the American government's (particularly President Reagan's administration's) response to the disease. What effect did this have on the proliferation of the pandemic? How is this stigmatization still manifesting itself? How does it compare to the moral-branding of past epidemics? What can we learn from the initial response to AIDS when trying to combat this and future pandemics?
Clearly it needs work, and the answers to many of the questions are painfully obvious, so I'll have to dig deeper for something more compelling underneath. But maybe it's a good place to start? The point is, I need to get that into a proposal form, with a plan for research and such, and then meet with a professor, get him to sign on, and then help me find the meat of the issue. Grrr, I'm definitely one of those students that needs handholding when it comes to the conception stage of a massive project. I hate that about myself, but I realize that I am seldom the "big idea" person and more often the "here's how to execute that best" person.
Big Question: What to eat for dinner?
I am mad in the head. I didn't even realize I was doing it until I started talking out loud. Luckily it was very quiet so no one heard me. But still...
In other news, President Bush's language got a little fresh at the G8 summit in a microphone gaffe. A side conversation he and Prime Minister Blair were engaged in was, unbeknownst to them, picked up by the mics that were still on. Debating what to do about the erupting situation with Hezbollah and Israel, Bush said: Bush replied: "See, the irony is what they need to do is get Syria to get Hizbollah to stop doing this shit and it's over." Aside from the fact that it's improper use of the word irony, he's completely right. Whoa, was that the world tilting on it's axis? Hmm, perhaps it was pigs soaring into flight. Nevertheless, the key to this situation is clearly to get those stupid terrorists to sit down and shut up. Now, Mr. President. Any ideas?
So I agreed to participate in a study being done by a friend of a friend at Northwestern about Jewish college students and their religious identity (or something like that, it's been a while since I actually read the explanation). I'm starting to get a little nervous that I won't have much to say or that I'll be terribly incoherent (which anyone who's heard me tell a story can attest, is not exactly outside the realm of possibilites). I think perhaps I may be filmed, for some reason "documentary" is associated with the project in my head, so I'm thinking I read in the explanation that she's putting together a film on Jewish identity. Hmm, I better double-check that so I can dress accordingly. There's nothing worse than being the visual proof that Brandeis is where the ugly Jews go. (horrible, despicable, simply awful to say, I know, but so so true for the most-part--hmm, hopefully I'll have the diplomacy NOT to mention that in the interview...)
Have been trying desperately to get myself to work on my senior thesis. I think it could be a really great and interesting thing to research, and right now all I need to do is write a 2-page proposal. Not terribly hard, right? Heh heh, not if you're me! I'm really and truly impossible. And, to make it even worse, I know that this thesis, if done well, would absolutely be a leg up in helping me land a job in an area I'm interested in. I'm thinking that a good topic would be: How did the moral stigmatization attached to HIV/AIDS stymie the American government's (particularly President Reagan's administration's) response to the disease. What effect did this have on the proliferation of the pandemic? How is this stigmatization still manifesting itself? How does it compare to the moral-branding of past epidemics? What can we learn from the initial response to AIDS when trying to combat this and future pandemics?
Clearly it needs work, and the answers to many of the questions are painfully obvious, so I'll have to dig deeper for something more compelling underneath. But maybe it's a good place to start? The point is, I need to get that into a proposal form, with a plan for research and such, and then meet with a professor, get him to sign on, and then help me find the meat of the issue. Grrr, I'm definitely one of those students that needs handholding when it comes to the conception stage of a massive project. I hate that about myself, but I realize that I am seldom the "big idea" person and more often the "here's how to execute that best" person.
Big Question: What to eat for dinner?
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