You know the part in Almost Famous where Penny Lane is in the hall after the concert dancing around to this song? I love that part.
When it is windy that song gets in my head.
Cat Stevens - The Wind
I listen to the wind
To the wind of my soul
Where I'll end up well I think,
Only God really knows
I've sat upon the setting sun
But never, never never never
I never wanted water once
No, never, never, never
I listen to my words but
They fall far below
I let my music take me where
My heart wants to go
I swam upon the devil's lake
But never, never never never
I'll never make the same mistake
No, never, never, never
Thursday, April 28, 2005
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
"What does didactic mean?"
The Prof stands at the front of the class and promptly at 9 a.m. asks us (and by us I mean those of us still employing the patented last moment cramming of information into our frontal lobes), "put away your notes and I will pass out the exam."
The Prof carefully lays out the instructions of the exam: when to start, how to start, how he won't allow us to ask questions during the exam. He gives us time to read through the exam and to ask any questions we may have before the exam actually starts. One girl tentatively asks whether the third essay of the exam should be done as a compare and contrast essay...another student clarifies the section number for the exam booklet.
And then from the back, a naive young student raises her hand and says, "I don't think you'll answer this or..uuhhh....and you don't even have to answer but ummm...but...what does didactic mean?"
The stunned silence of the class is almost too much to bear as we all wait for the prof to embarrass her with her own ignorance. The word didactic is only used in our texts about 30 times and the Prof has used the word over and over in class and apparently this lady has never bothered to get out the ole Oxford dictionary and look it up. I expect the Prof to launch into his favorite rant about how students seem to expect to be spoon-fed these days and I brace myself for the tirade to begin.
The Prof, after a few seconds of stunned silence, asks her to repeat her question....like maybe he didn't hear her correctly...or maybe she actually didn't ask what he thinks she asks...
"No, that's okay, I know I should have looked it up..." starts the mortified student, "it's okay, forget I asked...." she squeaks out, squirming uncomfortably in her seat.
The Prof states, " You don't know what didactic means?"
Silence.
"You don't have to answer..." she back-pedals.
"It means to teach...or to give instruction." He takes his seat and I see him shake his head.
It was the most uncomfortable moment...and they say there is no such thing as a stupid question.
Ouch. I bet she'll never forget what didactic means.
I wondered in the back of my head how many other students didn't know what it meant and were thankful she asked that question. Has the prof failed or are students just way too lazy?
Song Du Jour: "Nothingman" by Pearl Jam
once divided...nothing left to subtract...some words when spoken...can't be taken back...
The Prof carefully lays out the instructions of the exam: when to start, how to start, how he won't allow us to ask questions during the exam. He gives us time to read through the exam and to ask any questions we may have before the exam actually starts. One girl tentatively asks whether the third essay of the exam should be done as a compare and contrast essay...another student clarifies the section number for the exam booklet.
And then from the back, a naive young student raises her hand and says, "I don't think you'll answer this or..uuhhh....and you don't even have to answer but ummm...but...what does didactic mean?"
The stunned silence of the class is almost too much to bear as we all wait for the prof to embarrass her with her own ignorance. The word didactic is only used in our texts about 30 times and the Prof has used the word over and over in class and apparently this lady has never bothered to get out the ole Oxford dictionary and look it up. I expect the Prof to launch into his favorite rant about how students seem to expect to be spoon-fed these days and I brace myself for the tirade to begin.
The Prof, after a few seconds of stunned silence, asks her to repeat her question....like maybe he didn't hear her correctly...or maybe she actually didn't ask what he thinks she asks...
"No, that's okay, I know I should have looked it up..." starts the mortified student, "it's okay, forget I asked...." she squeaks out, squirming uncomfortably in her seat.
The Prof states, " You don't know what didactic means?"
Silence.
"You don't have to answer..." she back-pedals.
"It means to teach...or to give instruction." He takes his seat and I see him shake his head.
It was the most uncomfortable moment...and they say there is no such thing as a stupid question.
Ouch. I bet she'll never forget what didactic means.
I wondered in the back of my head how many other students didn't know what it meant and were thankful she asked that question. Has the prof failed or are students just way too lazy?
Song Du Jour: "Nothingman" by Pearl Jam
once divided...nothing left to subtract...some words when spoken...can't be taken back...
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
"I'm a revolutionary, money means nothing to me."-- Frédéric Chopin, quoted in Arthur Headley, Chopin (1947)
From Word of the Day:
Roman à clef (ro-mahn ah KLAY) noun, plural romans a clef
Roman à clef (ro-mahn ah KLAY) noun, plural romans a clef
A novel that depicts (usually famous) real people and events under the guise of fiction.[From French roman à clef, literally, a novel with a key.] All fiction has a grain of truth, but a roman à clef has it by the bushel. Roman à clef
dates back to seventeenth century France. In the beginning, a roman à clef really did have a key that was published separately. In these times, you can simply go on the Internet and search using Google. An example of roman à clef is Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.
These days the term can apply to any work of fiction, for example, a movie,not just a novel. A blend term "faction" has also been used, after "fact" presented as "fiction".
Today's word in Visual Thesaurus: http://visualthesaurus.com/?w1=roman+a+clef
The Sun Also Rises just happens to be my favorite Hemingway book. Good for summer reading and filled with adventure and witty prose. I am* so* looking forward to a bit of summer reading. Who has a suggestion for a good summer book? Song Du Jour: Nocturne in F-sharp ~ Chopin (1831)
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
"Those who try to make their life secure lose it."
So some rap singer is our new pope!! Or at least that is how I heard it...I was all confused...so Gregory set me straight, "no, his name is 'Ratzinger'.."
We were both diligently studying when the news came on the radio and I heard "We have a new pope...something, something, something...Cardinal and rap singer, Benedict blah, blah, blah..."
Cool! A rap singer! Tee hee. All this studying for finals is making my mind all mooshie.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, to be correct, was the guy who gave John Paul's eulogy and although he's supposed to be some sort of strong conservative he's always talked of the crisis of faith which apparently has been a consistent theme of Ratzinger's public statements and he even calls for church renewal! Sadly, I am quite cynical when I hear talk of Roman Catholics and any sort of reform or renewal.
I am, however, pleased as punch to see that Pope Watch 2005 is finally over, thank Moses for that!
The only other luxury in my life these days is my daily hour of TV which is dedicated to The Street. God, it is getting good and I love the fact that we get a whole hour of it. I bawled when Gay Todd kneeled next to Baby Billy's grave and said, "Billy, it's Daddy...." When our Sarah lost it..I lost it too. Leanne gave it good to Nick and his special lady...and what was that bit of sexual tension I saw there between Nick and Leanne in the Rovers? Ole Bev sure is a sallop. Some cougar she turned out to be! Can you imagine your Mom screwing your boyfriend? Not once but twice? Holy Cougar! Rawr! Shelley needs to dump her scheming boyfriend Charlie but no she'll believe his lies...frick, chicks are stupid. Bogg puts it succinctly, "Girls are not necessarily stupid, they just exercise poor judgment."
Finals, Corrie, and the Pope....Gawd, the subject matter of my blog posts! Crazy. Perhaps I'll make more sense and have more to say when my mind recovers after exams. Perhaps....
I bid good day to you all.
Song Du Jour:Send me an Angel ~ Real Life
We were both diligently studying when the news came on the radio and I heard "We have a new pope...something, something, something...Cardinal and rap singer, Benedict blah, blah, blah..."
Cool! A rap singer! Tee hee. All this studying for finals is making my mind all mooshie.
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, to be correct, was the guy who gave John Paul's eulogy and although he's supposed to be some sort of strong conservative he's always talked of the crisis of faith which apparently has been a consistent theme of Ratzinger's public statements and he even calls for church renewal! Sadly, I am quite cynical when I hear talk of Roman Catholics and any sort of reform or renewal.
I am, however, pleased as punch to see that Pope Watch 2005 is finally over, thank Moses for that!
The only other luxury in my life these days is my daily hour of TV which is dedicated to The Street. God, it is getting good and I love the fact that we get a whole hour of it. I bawled when Gay Todd kneeled next to Baby Billy's grave and said, "Billy, it's Daddy...." When our Sarah lost it..I lost it too. Leanne gave it good to Nick and his special lady...and what was that bit of sexual tension I saw there between Nick and Leanne in the Rovers? Ole Bev sure is a sallop. Some cougar she turned out to be! Can you imagine your Mom screwing your boyfriend? Not once but twice? Holy Cougar! Rawr! Shelley needs to dump her scheming boyfriend Charlie but no she'll believe his lies...frick, chicks are stupid. Bogg puts it succinctly, "Girls are not necessarily stupid, they just exercise poor judgment."
Finals, Corrie, and the Pope....Gawd, the subject matter of my blog posts! Crazy. Perhaps I'll make more sense and have more to say when my mind recovers after exams. Perhaps....
I bid good day to you all.
Song Du Jour:Send me an Angel ~ Real Life
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Friday, April 08, 2005
"Even the N.D.P., for which Kyoto has an almost biblical appeal, is unhappy with the Kyoto rider that the government's throwing in" ~Rex Murphy
Normally, I try to not bitch and moan here about the inner workings of Blogger, but I can't post from home anymore. It only times-out and gives me a "website not found" page when I publish. I am trying to fix some of the malfunctions, and the photos, but please remain calm people, I will have it up and working once I figure it all out.
Anyhoo....They lifted the publication ban on the Gomery inquiry yesterday and just like that put another nail in the coffin of the Liberal Party. Ha Ha.
Nothing shocks me anymore....except for the venom spouted by Conservative Deputy House Leader Peter MacKay yesterday. Duke is right, it was really embarrassing....and I wasn't even in the building. The one thing that I don't understand is the general ruckus on the floor when others are trying to talk. It seems, on TV, like an incredibly noisy place. Would it be better if no shouting could occur? I bet watching it in person it makes it all the more lively...but I wonder if it just because I can't be there in person or if it really is as annoying as it seems on the TV. Can you imagine SU Council chambers like that?
Is anybody else sick and tired of being threatened with an election every time a Liberal Farts? I have seriously had enough of this minority government crap. I thought they would be able to be adults and find ways to compromise but instead what we have is a bunch of children going to Mom to get the other kid in trouble. "Mom, Billy is breathing near me....Mom, Billy is growing!"
And has anybody else noticed that the Budget passing isn't really about the budget anymore? It is about everything else. Rex Murphy had a good rant on that and I agree with him. I's about whether or not you support Kyoto or The Atlantic offshore revenue deals and transfer payments. Somebody please explain to me why the Liberal plan includes reforms to the Kyoto accord in the budget bill? Shouldn't all of that be hammered out in Committee? Do they want the budget to fail?
Song Du Jour: Master and Servant ~ Depeche Mode
Anyhoo....They lifted the publication ban on the Gomery inquiry yesterday and just like that put another nail in the coffin of the Liberal Party. Ha Ha.
Nothing shocks me anymore....except for the venom spouted by Conservative Deputy House Leader Peter MacKay yesterday. Duke is right, it was really embarrassing....and I wasn't even in the building. The one thing that I don't understand is the general ruckus on the floor when others are trying to talk. It seems, on TV, like an incredibly noisy place. Would it be better if no shouting could occur? I bet watching it in person it makes it all the more lively...but I wonder if it just because I can't be there in person or if it really is as annoying as it seems on the TV. Can you imagine SU Council chambers like that?
Is anybody else sick and tired of being threatened with an election every time a Liberal Farts? I have seriously had enough of this minority government crap. I thought they would be able to be adults and find ways to compromise but instead what we have is a bunch of children going to Mom to get the other kid in trouble. "Mom, Billy is breathing near me....Mom, Billy is growing!"
And has anybody else noticed that the Budget passing isn't really about the budget anymore? It is about everything else. Rex Murphy had a good rant on that and I agree with him. I's about whether or not you support Kyoto or The Atlantic offshore revenue deals and transfer payments. Somebody please explain to me why the Liberal plan includes reforms to the Kyoto accord in the budget bill? Shouldn't all of that be hammered out in Committee? Do they want the budget to fail?
Song Du Jour: Master and Servant ~ Depeche Mode
Thursday, April 07, 2005
"I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin." ~ Pope John Paul II
I have been asked to go back and edit my blog to save the reputation of a kind and gentle soul. How funny is that? I think from now on I will only speak of people by using their nicknames, which I admit will make reading this blog all the more esoteric for some of you...but you'll get over it.
There is so much to talk about. The Pope died, and although I watched some of 'Pope-Death-Watch 2005' on every bloody channel I must say that CBC newsworld ran an excellent biography. It was the only channel that gave me some insight into why everybody is now referring to him as "Pope Extraordinaire" in so many words. Did you know he studied theatre and was in trying to get a BFA? His high School religion teacher once said The teenage Pope was "more interested in the theatre than the cloth."
Apparently Canada gets 5 seats at the funeral. Harper is going with Martin and Martin's Wife and Jean Charest is going...so I guess that leaves one empty seat for the rest of the premiers to fight over...And why does Charest get to go? Who should get the other seat? Adrienne Clarkson? Should there be a raffle or contest open to the most devout??
I laughed at the hypocrisy of the Vatican respecting the Pope's final wishes, and yet spoke out against the death (her last wishes) of Terry Shaivo (sp?) in Florida. I find myself hoping that the 'Pope on Deck' will also be willing to reform the church to make it more relevant but info on the candidates is sparse. I guess we'll know by April 21st. Can you believe the crowds waiting in line to pay their respects? Millions upon Millions...If each one of those individuals donated the 12+ hours they waited in line to see The Man to a worthy cause over the last week-- imagine what could have been accomplished! That's the Catholic (albeit lapsed) talking in me.
On to Sports...The Road Runners are 30-30-4-10. For some reason I thought they would come here and be the best team in the AHL and we'd have playoffs and all that...
It must be the "City Of Champions" mentality I have. I don't know if I have just been spoiled with good teams and such, or if my standards are too high, but I have this general feel that we will be the best no matter what the team or sport. The Bears, The Pandas, the S'mos. I am going to the RR's game on Friday...Here's hoping they play "the DeLaurian" in goal (Deslauriers, Jeff) and eek out a win...highly unlikely but I am full of hope. However, they are playing the Maple Leafs (42-27-1-4) so putting one in the Win column will be difficult, to say the least.
Rocky Thompson has been selected as the Road Runners' nominee for the American Specialty/AHL Man-of-the-Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Edmonton community and charitable organizations during the 2004-05 season. He hits, he maims, he gives back to the community? He's an enigma.
Let's seee...I've hit 2 out of 3 taboo subjects...Religion and Sports...I guess I leave the politics to later. OnlyI will mention this-- how stupid is the so-called publication ban on the Gomery inquiry? They have it on CCTV in Ottawa so I can find out easily enough what is going on. Cripes...
Song Du Jour: "Holiday" by Green Day
There is so much to talk about. The Pope died, and although I watched some of 'Pope-Death-Watch 2005' on every bloody channel I must say that CBC newsworld ran an excellent biography. It was the only channel that gave me some insight into why everybody is now referring to him as "Pope Extraordinaire" in so many words. Did you know he studied theatre and was in trying to get a BFA? His high School religion teacher once said The teenage Pope was "more interested in the theatre than the cloth."
Apparently Canada gets 5 seats at the funeral. Harper is going with Martin and Martin's Wife and Jean Charest is going...so I guess that leaves one empty seat for the rest of the premiers to fight over...And why does Charest get to go? Who should get the other seat? Adrienne Clarkson? Should there be a raffle or contest open to the most devout??
I laughed at the hypocrisy of the Vatican respecting the Pope's final wishes, and yet spoke out against the death (her last wishes) of Terry Shaivo (sp?) in Florida. I find myself hoping that the 'Pope on Deck' will also be willing to reform the church to make it more relevant but info on the candidates is sparse. I guess we'll know by April 21st. Can you believe the crowds waiting in line to pay their respects? Millions upon Millions...If each one of those individuals donated the 12+ hours they waited in line to see The Man to a worthy cause over the last week-- imagine what could have been accomplished! That's the Catholic (albeit lapsed) talking in me.
On to Sports...The Road Runners are 30-30-4-10. For some reason I thought they would come here and be the best team in the AHL and we'd have playoffs and all that...
It must be the "City Of Champions" mentality I have. I don't know if I have just been spoiled with good teams and such, or if my standards are too high, but I have this general feel that we will be the best no matter what the team or sport. The Bears, The Pandas, the S'mos. I am going to the RR's game on Friday...Here's hoping they play "the DeLaurian" in goal (Deslauriers, Jeff) and eek out a win...highly unlikely but I am full of hope. However, they are playing the Maple Leafs (42-27-1-4) so putting one in the Win column will be difficult, to say the least.
Rocky Thompson has been selected as the Road Runners' nominee for the American Specialty/AHL Man-of-the-Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Edmonton community and charitable organizations during the 2004-05 season. He hits, he maims, he gives back to the community? He's an enigma.
Let's seee...I've hit 2 out of 3 taboo subjects...Religion and Sports...I guess I leave the politics to later. OnlyI will mention this-- how stupid is the so-called publication ban on the Gomery inquiry? They have it on CCTV in Ottawa so I can find out easily enough what is going on. Cripes...
Song Du Jour: "Holiday" by Green Day
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
"People gettin' nowhere 'cause they don't know where to go"
Yesterday, on my way to school, I saw a man "walking" his dog. And by walking I mean dragging. The dog was on strike or something...like a donkey refusing to budge he sat there and his owner had to drag him every step of the way. He reminded me of number seven on that TV show Grizzly Adams and I laughed. That's right Dog, stick it to the man! Poor Pooper.
I now know of three broken up couples engaging in break up sex. They have broken up, going through the divorce, moving out and separating the books and CD's, and still engaging in the all too comfortable break up sex. It can only end badly...one of them will find someone else to screw and the other will get hurt. If people know it will only end in hurt then why do people engage in break up sex? And you can see it coming...I am watching them head down that sad road to ruin...on that race to make sure they are the one who moves on first. Seems like everybody is breaking up these days.
Fuck it is the most beautiful day here in Onion Town. Crisp blue sky (no Rod Fraser jokes please I used neither the words big or Alberta) without a cloud and the air is springy with no sign of that chill of winter, and the sun was shining warm on my face as I walked over to Bio Sci just now. Some chick in my class was wearing a mini, mini skirt with pink pumps and black legwarmers. She would have fit in well at my Junior High. The 80's are so in it makes me giggle.
Went out for some Pops last night to celebrate my victory over the flu bug. I was talking to ralph on the big white telephone most of last week and it was awful. That flu is one nasty beeoch. Kirny and The Dude were keeping me laughing and for a Monday night I was sure bringing it on like the hedonist I am. Mmmmm...Debauchery. S'awesome.
Song Du Jour: General Hand Grenade ~ Trooper
I now know of three broken up couples engaging in break up sex. They have broken up, going through the divorce, moving out and separating the books and CD's, and still engaging in the all too comfortable break up sex. It can only end badly...one of them will find someone else to screw and the other will get hurt. If people know it will only end in hurt then why do people engage in break up sex? And you can see it coming...I am watching them head down that sad road to ruin...on that race to make sure they are the one who moves on first. Seems like everybody is breaking up these days.
Fuck it is the most beautiful day here in Onion Town. Crisp blue sky (no Rod Fraser jokes please I used neither the words big or Alberta) without a cloud and the air is springy with no sign of that chill of winter, and the sun was shining warm on my face as I walked over to Bio Sci just now. Some chick in my class was wearing a mini, mini skirt with pink pumps and black legwarmers. She would have fit in well at my Junior High. The 80's are so in it makes me giggle.
Went out for some Pops last night to celebrate my victory over the flu bug. I was talking to ralph on the big white telephone most of last week and it was awful. That flu is one nasty beeoch. Kirny and The Dude were keeping me laughing and for a Monday night I was sure bringing it on like the hedonist I am. Mmmmm...Debauchery. S'awesome.
Song Du Jour: General Hand Grenade ~ Trooper
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