So, I've been admonished for not updating my blog...

...And I'm very sorry about that! I've been neglectful of it lately, I admit it. The worst part is that I get all bummed when other people don't update their own blogs. But, now that I'm back I thought I'd dedicate a post to a list of what I have been doing. (I love lists and since I've missed the boat on any "year-end" ones...you're stuck with this).

1. Visiting family. Yep, I spent almost 3 full weeks down in SC. It was fun and good to see them. It meant a lot to them that I could spend that kind of time there and since I don't know what my life will be like soon, I was glad to be able to do it, as well. Although, I did get pretty homesick by the end.

2. Working on the dissertation. Update - So, I'd say I'm a little more than half done. I would've liked to have been further than that by now, but hey what are ya gonna do, life intrudes. I've been pushing hard the last few weeks, though and I'm still pretty much on track.

3. Watching lots of TV. I caught up on some viewing that I had Tivoed...like Dexter Season 2. If you haven't seen this yet, I highly recommend it. Both seasons are incredible, but season 2 is really awesome!

4. Started watching The L Word's Fifth Season. Ah yes, I do love my research. Actually, I've decided that I can't feasibly include much on this season in the diss anymore, so I've basically been watching as a fan and it's been fun. This season so far is pretty cool; there has been lots of yelling at the screen and that's always good!

5. Working on the dissertation...did I mention that already?

6. Watching Award Shows. Oh, wait...that's what I haven't been doing, thanks to the ole' writers strike. Well, I did get to see the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night and it did not dissappoint; especially since they were celebrating their 75th year. Other than that, I have only three words about it...Tina 'F-ing' Fey!

7. Counting down the days until spring training. And related to this...counting down the days until the F*^%in' Football Season is over. Sorry to offend my football loving readers, but I really can't get into that sport. I actually think my deep distaste for it is even worse now that I'm back up in the deep Midwest where I learned to hate the damn game in the first place. But, before I get myself into trouble, I will shut up.

8. Dissertation writing...oh, you heard about that one already?

9. Shopping. I've always known that I have a shopping problem and nothing has changed in that regard. Although, I really just like to shop, I don't actually have to buy anything to make myself happy. So, is it still a problem then?

10. Wishing I was in Boston...Or, lived closer to Boston...Or, was moving to Boston...Or, had the money and time to visit Boston...Did I mention I love Boston?

11. Disliking my neighbor. Is it really necessary to play Guitar Hero loud enough that you can hear it two floors down on the other end of the building, or perhaps in the parking lot outside? I would like to kill the person that gave him that thing for Christmas!

12. Playing video games. Okay, so my neighbor makes me hate HIS games, but I love mine. I dug out the old N64 and PS1 and then found a pawnshop in town that sells lots of cheap games for them. I've been addicted to the Tony Hawk series. It's always funny to discover why people were really into stuff several years after the craze. It's almost like its your own little discovery then. TH2 is also really cool because it's loaded with music that was all popular when I worked at Hot Topic...ahhh, takes me back.

13. Explaining to my cats ...why they haven't been able to update their blogs for awhile either. They'd like me to tell you that they think their mom is just freakin' lazy!

14. Reading other people's blogs. Just cuz' I'm not on mine, doesn't mean I'm not on yours.

15. Oh, and there's some thing about a dissertation...

Miss you all...I'll try to be better about this darn thing!

Happy Holidays...(but that's probably obvious from the graphic below!)

I know I haven't been the best blogger lately. I appologize. I've been trying to tie up a lot of loose ends before I leave town for awhile. Tomorrow, I'm headed to my family's place for almost three weeks. I'm not usually down there that long, but I haven't seen them in quite awhile. I'll do my best to try to blog while I'm there, but it's likely that it won't happen. So, in case I don't get a chance to say so over the next few weeks:

I hope you all have a great holiday season!

...(and may you all get the loot you were hopin' for!)

Dimebag "Darrell" Abbott - 1966-2004

OK, so I know this might be a little cheesy, but I wanted to pay quick tribute to the "John Lennon of metal." It was three years ago today that he met his absurdly tragic end in Columbus, OH. Hope he is shredding in another dimension with Rhoads, Hendrix, and the rest of the lost guitar legends!

The Pleasure of Admitting There's a Bad Taste in your Mouth

It seems that my partner and I have both been holding some negative feelings in and we kind of had a breakthrough the other day. You see, apparently we both actually hate it here. It was actually kind of funny when we admitted it to each other and it really felt like a big weight off my chest.

This all came to a head, I think, because things have not been going exactly as expected up here lately and it's been getting to us. Actually, over the last couple months we keep experiencing really bipolar career news. I want to believe that's what happens when your career is finally about to take off in good ways, but I'm also pretty sure I'm trying to make myself feel better.

But, anyway I guess now that we've admitted this, we can move forward to acceptance and planning for the next stage. Unless something dramatic happens, I'm pretty sure we won't be in this city anymore next year. Hopefully, we'll be heading to Boston, Milwaukee, or somewhere else wonderful.

I'm also reminded on the fact that when we lived in this state the last time, we pretty much hated it. Hmmm...maybe we're just allergic.

So, here's so all of us (who are looking) getting amazing, wonderful, well-paying jobs in cities we love next year!

Cheers and miss you all lots...

Finally! - Update on Campus Violence

So, yesterday I got an email from a faculty member on BG's campus through a listserve. I will just refer to her by her initials (J.L.) and those of you that know anything about BG, I'm sure will know who this is. She is perhaps the most activist person on that campus.

Anyway, the email said that several faculty members are quite upset by the lack of discourse occurring regarding the assaults and that she is gathering responses from students to take to the administration in hopes of getting some type of response or action started. The email also included several questions that she hoped students would answer. If you are interested in seeing the email or giving her your input, please let me know and I will forward you the email. She asked for it to be forwarded on, but I didn't want to just post it here.

So, hopefully some good will occur from this horrific madness. And, once again, thank the Universe for people like J.L.!

A Dream Becomes an Obsession.

Okay, so you all probably know by now that my partner and I fell in love with Boston last year when we vacationed there. I have never really wanted to live in a big city and have pretty much always felt they were all the same. This is no longer the case after Boston. All I can think about is moving there and settling down.

I have been hunting for jobs in the area, but those of you in academia know how fruitful this might prove to be. The other stress factor is that my partner and I are really getting to a point where we need to settle down. We want a family and if this doesn't happen soon, it isn't going to happen. And, we can't do it until we actually have the jobs and $ to do it. No $, no getting "knocked up" - savvy?

I'm trying to relax and just go with the flow, but it's unfortunately becoming a little obsessive. I look at Boston web sites and books, watch films set in Boston, drink Sam Adams and eat beans... :). I know it's still really early in the academic year and it could totally still happen, but I just keep trying to think of new or creative ways to make it so. I'm tired of waiting around and hoping for dreams that never happen. I've let some of my hopes die over the years and I don't want this one to pass me by too.

Sorry, didn't mean to bum y'all out. But, if anyone has any connections or ideas of how we might get there and survive...I'd love to hear them!

Pomp and Criticism

First of all, I didn't think this woman could get any hotter...clearly I was wrong! I have finally been able to watch 30 Rock now that I have regular channels on my Directv and it's really quite brilliant! Clearly SNL was holding this woman back from her true political comedy calling. And now, to see her in a picket line...ahhh, warms my soul!

Anyway, so this writer's strike is obviously getting lots of press and rightly so. It's a pretty incredible moment for television and filmic popular culture. I have to say, I'm siding with the writers (although I usually do side with the union workers) and the number of non-writers (actors, techies, etc.) who are doing the same have been impressive. Hope the solidarity lasts. True, it could mean the demise of much of my beloved television and film, but I'm also a bit intrigued by what could happen to our popular culture if this continues. Writers do A LOT for the industry and I'd actually like to see a little shake up. Now if the SAG members also go on strike in a few months, which from what I've heard is also a distinct possibility, Hollywood might never be the same. What could this mean for big film corps vs independent film? Bring it on, baby!

On the other hand, I wish something this dramatic was happening to my other favorite popular culture industry: music. Why the hell doesn't that damn thing have unions?! There have been a ton of articles over the last few years about how the music industry sales keep suffering quarter after quarter. Down the toilet they go! Over and over, the industry officials blame the Internet for slumping CD sales and they keep looking for a way to tap into this technology to save their souls (and bank accounts!).

Hmmm...perhaps this is not the answer or even the problem?? Have they even considered that the industry hasn't "discovered" any music worth listening to in like a decade?! There is a ton of awesome stuff being done out there on a local and independent level that the major labels aren't even looking at. Of course, a lot of these artists aren't even interested in major labels anymore because they can't offer them much that they can't get on their own now. But still, why does the industry think we'd rather have another freaking "Nickelback/Earnest Rock" clone than something refreshing and original? I haven't heard something on the radio (not including satellite radio, of course) that I was excited about in a long time.

Not to mention the fact that the industry doesn't develop the artists it has anymore. Instead, it promotes an artist to death for one big album and then dumps them by the side of the road. Artists like U2, Springsteen, Pink Floyd, AC/DC, and a ton of other big money makers wouldn't have ever made their best or biggest albums if the industry was structured the way it is now when they were coming up. A world with no Joshua Tree, Born to Run, Dark Side of the Moon, Highway to Hell??? This is a sad thought. I wonder what great music we've already lost because they killed a young band's soul before it was ripe...

It's clearly time to rethink the music industry in order to salvage something from it. Don't spend so much time restructuring the way you do business with your customers, spend it restructuring how you do business with your artists! And, don't worry so much about the Internet, worry about the music! We haven't stopped buying CDs just because they're all online, we've stopped buying CDs because they suck!

Welcome to the Pop Culture Revolution!