Springing Forward

Wow, I must be on some sort of spring break - I haven't posted in a week! And I"m using an atc from October!

Laura and Max are both in Sisters tonight. Max stayed all week. I can't wait to see him again tomorrow.

I went snow shoeing for the first time last weekend, with my dad and Max and Laura.

Saw Cecelia this week. She mentioned Michael McGriff. I like what I've read so far!

Next week more classes start. I won't be teaching at all on Wednesdays and Fridays this term (at least nowhere "live"), and I'm pleased about that.

Clocks get moved forward this weekend.

My office looks like it would qualify for federal disaster funds.

The sun is out!

More one sentence paragraphs soon!

Belle and Sebastian and Zanni

Last night we saw Belle and Sebastian. The New Pornographers opened for them. I thought they were great - and I got one of their set lists.

Zanni's in town! I had lunch with her and Daneen today. Saw M. earlier. Good to see everyone. And a certain someone is going to visit a certain someone else in Iowa City this weekend to decide if he will attend there. And I heard of someone else from Portland who is also going there next year - which brings the total to FOUR Portland people currently at the University of Iowa. Portland Mafia indeed, N.!

Max and Laura are on spring break all next week - they're psyched! We're going to Sisters tomorrow, and I decided I will pretend like I'm on spring break too - at least for two days. I have classes next week, and classes to plan for spring term. But I won't think about it anymore until Monday.

Classes classes classes. Talking to Zanni and M. and Daneen today, I thought about not teaching anymore - doing something different. Well, we shall see about all that. Whenever Zanni is around anything seems possible.

I'm looking forward to seeing Central Oregon.

We're watching GOOD NIGHT AND GOOD LUCK tonight. I have had two lemon drops in the past two days - see, I MUST be on vacation!

New Caffeine Destiny is online

Finally. Check it out

Appendix, appendix

I have been thinking since yesterday of how the appendix you have removed sometimes is called by the same name as the thing at the back of a book, appendix. I wonder why that is?

It would feel too strange to blog about this weekend. But I am very glad that Laura is home, and I am home. I have probably watched more episodes of One Tree Hill in one weekend than I ever will again - I see now why Laura likes it. I still think it's no Beverly Hills 90210, but that Chad kid is pretty cute.

And now I will never have to wonder if Laura has a pain in her side if it is her appendix.

I have been reading Typical American by Gish Jen - I'm going to use it in my American literature class next term.

Olena Davis was fabulous. I was really glad I saw her and met her and everything.

It is spring spring spring! My office is a mess. Caffeine Destiny was slightly postponed this weekend but it's still coming together! Probably by the end of the week.

Ides of March

Apparently there was nothing ominous about the ides of March until Caesar. It just means the 15th, at least when it falls in March.

The term has ended for my freshman composition class, and the other class I teach (apart from my online one) is on Spring Break. So I officially do not have to be IN a classroom until a week from today. This pleases me. Papers to grade and syllabi to create, but still. I like the ides of March myself!

Tomorrow is Olena! I found this "guest blog" she did in February for Poetry Magazine. It sounds very much like her. Because it is!

I helped kids put on costumes at the dress rehearsal today. I watched part of the dress rehearsal. The songs are cute. The boy who plays the octopus does not like his costume. He told me today, "I look like a three year old!" I told him, no, you are much taller than a three year old. I don't think that made him feel any better.

I ran five miles today. My office needs a good spring cleaning. Papers and books everywhere.

Dream of Snow!

It snowed around here today - not really where I am, but in the Portland/Vancouver area. So I had no classes and got caught up on some grading. It may snow again tonight. I hope it snows four inches! In March!

Olena Davis is reading here next week. I'm looking forward to that. And "The Little Mermaid", starring my adorable children opens in its very brief engagement - two performances - next week.

I am teaching an American literature class next term. We will start with Hemingway I think.

My desk is a mess! Tomorrow is picture day at Laura's school - unless it snows.

Laura watches a show called One Tree Hill - she's a big fan. Last night I watched a few minutes of it with her and I recognized one of the actresses who was playing one of the main character's mom. The mom role, played by Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks. Kids wanted to know what Twin Peaks was. Never mind it would take too long to explain. I told them it was a t.v. show. Max said, "from a long time ago, right?". Well yes, I guess it was...

I am reading Olena Davis a lot this week. So next week when she comes I can hold up my bic lighter and shout out titles for her to read. Well, probably not.

I have been reading things online about Austin and the AWP. But I am waiting for Zanni and Michele to give me the lowdown.

I read something online about Adorno that I actually UNDERSTOOD. I might have to read more by this Curtis person.

But now it is time for me to watch a few minutes of American Idol so Laura can show me the person who she thinks is really good.

It's no Twin Peaks, though.

Oscar Weekend

I love watching the Academy Awards. Even when I haven't seen many of the movies that are nominated. I've seen Crash, Cinderella Man, Munich and the Constant Gardener. Oh and King Kong, but it's just up for Art Direction. Was not so into King Kong. And March of the Penguins! It's up for best documentary. I would like to see Good Night and Good Luck, Capote, and maybe Syriana.

I have papers to grade this weekend, but I'm trying to stay on top of the end of the term crush. In a few weeks things will calm down some. And the new Caffeine Destiny is slowly coming together...

Michael and I have tickets for Belle and Sebastian later this month - I'm looking forward to that!

I planted more poppies, and also anemones and pansies. The daffodils are going to bloom out front this weekend, I'm sure of it. And I'm going to plant some lilies this weekend.

The only Oscar to win an Oscar was Oscar Hammerstein, for "The Last Time I Saw Paris" from the movie "Lady Be Good" in 1941.

Lent

It's March. It's Ash Wednesday - "because I do not hope to turn again", etc.

Laura now has a part in the play Max is in, "The Little Mermaid." She will play the Queen, the mother of Prince William. Prince William is played by Max - I can't wait to see them on the stage.

I am playing the part of the mother who will help kids get into their costumes at all performances and bring stuff for the cast party. I found out I got the part today! It must have been my head shots!

It's March, which means winter term will be over soon. This is a good thing, I think.

Max was doing an imitation of a yoga teacher today. He must have overheard some of my yoga dvds - he had the calm, quiet voice down perfectly. He was lying on my yoga mat doing funny poses. He said, "okay, now put your left foot into your right ear." It made me laugh.