Bonus Content #6 (plus "Also"s)

Okay, all my theatre people (and others - you're allowed too!) have got to go watch this video - and then I'll start taking requests. And you all should know that if I ever get married I fully expect a similar production!

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Also, I found Frosted Raspberry Pop-Tarts at the store today, and had to buy them. I don't actually like Pop-Tarts all that much, but I didn't think they made the raspberry anymore! (*is still slightly dizzy from the toasted sugar-and-carbs rush*)

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Also #2 (and WAY more on this later), I'm going to New York! My good friend is taking a group of high-schoolers, and a spot opened up. I'll see shows, sit on some students (I expect to take the part of "Enforcer" on this trip), and even squeeze in some campus visits! Grad School is about to be at least a couple of fractions closer! Lots of pictures to come!

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Also #3, I am working on a real post, full of deep thoughts and "life advice" and such. Yes, I can already smell you all bating your respective breaths. My students are taking their MASSIVELY EVIL COMPREHENSIVE FINAL (BWAH HA HA) tomorrow, and when they're done we'll all sleep much better. And blog.

(I may be EVIL, but I'm not EeeeeeVIL... I made my students muffins so they wouldn't have to test on empty stomachs!)

Goal

Writing well means never having to say, 'I guess you had to be there.'

- Jeff Mallett

A Brief Rant

I was heading for an escalator yesterday, and just in front of me there was a small family that included a father who was manuevering a stroller onto the escalator, in spite of the nearby sign that clearly read "NO STROLLERS". I was a little irritated at this blatant disregard for safety, especially as there was also a set of elevators nearby - and a little more irritated to find I couldn't pass the family since the stroller didn't leave any room. The family continued down a second escalator, and I was once again unable to pass them... The mother and an older child, maybe three years old, were several steps ahead of the stroller, and the mother stepped off the escalator a few steps ahead of her daughter. She turned back just in time to see the little girl watch her own feet slide up the grill at the bottom of the stairs, rather than stepping over it and off the escalator. She immediately began shouting at the child: "Don't you ever do that again!" etc... a display which I assume derived from her concern for the child's safety. In the meantime, of course, the father and the infant in the stroller (resting at a precarious angle on two wheels) were just a few feet above them. It was with no small difficulty that I refrained from pointing out to the mother the hypocrisy of her shout to her daughter - both by example, and the fact that she didn't keep hold of the girl's hand while on the moving staircase so as to help her off at the bottom.

I'm here to tell you: "Do as I say, not as I do" doesn't actually work. It also proves to the viewing public that you probably shouldn't have procreated in the first place. Sheesh.

I Like Lists.

If you have a minute to chill this holiday weekend, try making your own list. Just for fun.

- Spend hours at the library
- Use accents in public places
- Catch a matinee movie
- Sing loudly while driving (and watch other drivers watch you sing)
- Make cinnamon-sugar toast
- Take a short hike
- Go take pictures at the mall
- Paint each fingernail a different color
- Leave work early
- Clean out a closet, down to the very back corner
- Hang strings of lights around the room
- Build a fort out of blankets and string
- Deliver someone a plate of cookies for no reason
- Practice making faces at yourself in the mirror
- Crochet
- Watch a Bollywood film, without the subtitles; make up own dialogue
- Create a new card game
- Hold the door open for a stranger
- Compliment a stranger
- Call a family member you haven't talked to in a while
- Send out Un-Birthday cards
- For an hour (or day) start every sentence with the same word, like "honestly" or "whatever"
- Make a "To Do" list for the day; week; month; year; life
- Write a list of random things you like to do

Candy-Coated Happily Ever After

In which we shall see: a wedding invite, Jessica Ann-Tiek (hee), the report, chocolatey goodies, jewelry design (*shameless plug*), an inappropriate conversation, pretty pictures, and multiple-use words.

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You are cordially invited to the wedding reception of the new Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Jessica Tiek, married Wednesday, May 21 just after torrential rains but continuing through freezing, hair-pulling winds (wedding party pictures sure to be posted later). The bride wore white, with an adjustable dark-hot-pink train and sash, and the groom wore a black tuxedo and an adorably unforced PermaGrin. (The government is looking into using this couple's enthusiasm as an alternative power source.) The 11 bridesmaids (11!) were melt-in-your-mouth luscious in chocolate brown with respective candy-colored pink, orange, and green satin sashes. All the women in the party were accessorized by the up-and-coming Kaesi Designs, who did the fun and funky jewelry (*shameless plug*). Decorations included neon pastel M&M's, gerbera daisies, lime slices, and small children climbing on the tables to get the M&M's.

Join me now as we listen in on a conversation overheard (er, participated in) at the wedding luncheon, where a remarkably tasty Costco chicken alfredo (not kidding - so yummy!) has just been consumed and desert is being served.

Sibling: "Wait, what did he just call that cake? And it's his wife's recipe?!?"

Sib-in-law: "I know, I heard it too!"

Sibling 2: "Huh?"

Sibling: "Did he just call that 'Whore Cake'?"

Sib-in-law: "That's what I heard!"

Sib-in-law 2: *bursts out laughing*

Cousin: "No, it's 'Score Cake'."

Cousin-in-law: "In my family we call it something else, but maybe he didn't think it was appropriate to call it that here..."

Sibling: "Oh! 'Score Cake'. I get it. Nice."

Sib-in-law 2: *still laughing*

Sibling: (Pause.) "Wait - like the candy bar?"

Sibling 2: "Huh?"

Sibling: "You know, the Skor bar crunched up as the topping. 'Skor Cake'."

Sibling 2: *stares blankly, then collapses into laughter along with sib-in-law 2*

Several guests at luncheon: "I'm glad we're not at THAT table."

Rest of guests at luncheon: "I wish I was at THAT table."

Bride's grandmother: "Good cake."

Good times.

A passel ("flock"? "flitter?") of chocolatey bridesmaids:

The official cake (love the brown ribbon):

Congratulations, cute newlyweds!

In other news, today at work a man came up to the window and asked if there was "a john here." A little confused, we directed him around to the front of the building where there is public access to the restrooms. He continued, "... but John told me to meet him here!" I burst into laughter, trying to choke it back so as not to embarrass him. He gave me a funny look, but didn't in any way acknowledge the alternate meaning of what he'd said. He sat down to wait for his, er... John, and we were grateful once more that the thick glass keeps most sound from escaping our office!

Watch out for falling turtles (also doubles as wedding advice),

Cyd

The (Honorable) Little Teacher That Could

Aww, how cute am I?

1. This was, indeed, my outfit for Chinese Theatre day. I also brought fortune cookies. (I know they're not actually Chinese, but no one in town is currently carrying pear-flavored candy! :OBSCURE THEATRE FACT REDACTED, SO AS NOT TO BORE PEOPLE SILLY.:)

2. This is most likely to be the only time you'll see a red-haired, blue-eyed Chinese lady.

3. It was honestly painful (it hurt my SOUUUUUL) to wear white socks with black pants.

4. It took me less time to get ready with my hair up, specialty makeup and outfit and all, then it does on a normal day. Ouch. Or, I should go Chinese all the time.

5. Fortune cookies could actually be considered transitional (for this week in my class, anyway) since they were originally based on a Japanese cracker, though they have been served since the turn of the last century in Chinese restaurants. (You didn't think you'd get out of here without ANY trivia, did you? I have more!)

6. If you add the word "honorable" before just about any noun, it makes it sound Chinese. Try it.

I will now stop, as I may soon digress into a discussion (read: rant) on how difficult it was for me to slog my way through authentic Japanese cinema in an attempt to find a clip to show the class today. End result: I didn't (couldn't!) slog or show. We watched a little anime instead. (Whew.)

Feel free to scroll back up and remind yourself just how cute and costume-y I am!

*** This post included absolutely no intent to offend. If your feelings are hurt, I am sorry, and I want to reassure you that my students are finding Oriental culture fascinating!

Bonus Content #5 (No Reason) *whistles*

Stupid things I've done recently that turned out OK: 1

"Namaste" That, Sucka!

I. Am. Tired. After working for much of the weekend (including yesterday afternoon and evening) on a packet of information about Oriental Theatre for my classes, I got about 4 hours of sleep before arriving at the school this morning by 6:25 so I could get the packets copied and organized. In addition, I dressed up in gold jewelry and a pashima, and greeted every student with their own (sparkly!) bindi and "Namaste." I lectured, I danced, I showed hilarious video clips... I was basically awesome. Then I had to explain to the administration that I was, in fact, dressed up to teach about Hindu/Indian Theatre. (Just wait till they see my outfit for Wednesday, Chinese Theatre!)

I have 1 1/2 days to become an expert on Chinese Theatre, then another day and a half to learn all there is to know about Japanese Theatre. I'm up to it.

WHO'S "CHECKED OUT" NOW, (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE)?!?

Still to come: an uplifting post about Mother's Day, a really great block of Sunday meetings, and NOT turning down the Mother's Day Favor because I am not a mother - since it was a mini box of Utah Truffles. Yum.

Also, it could be the beginning of the end... someone might be making plans that have nothing to do with me personally, but would mean I would have to get married and/or move to Europe just so I can stand being around myself. If you knew what I was talking about, you'd know what I mean. (Huh. Is there a bastardization of Oriental philosophy in there somewhere?)

* That is NOT a picture of me. It is a picture of how I FEEL.

** This is not a picture of the sparkly bindi I wore today, but I definitely wish it was!

Girls Only (No Boys Allowed!!!)

***SERIOUSLY, IF YOU'RE MALE, STOP READING NOW!!! SECRET GIRLS' MEETING IN PROGRESS!!!***

In which we shall see: Current adaptations of an iconic superhero catchphrase, three types of (straight) guys, the (other) TALK, the 2-step plan, and the test phase.

***LAST CHANCE, GUYS - CLICK AWAY FROM THE PAGE, AND NO ONE GETS HURT. GIRLS RULE!!!***

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Last night I was reading a book by one of my favorite authors, and I came across an interesting passage. The main character is talking to a friend, and the friend gives her a lecture that turns out to be the female-specific version of "With great power comes great responsibility." Evidently, there are only three kinds of (straight) guys - ones who fall in love with you, write a song for you, ask you out, etc... and all is well; ones who fall in love with you, but are so frightened by the strength of their passion and your total awesomeness that they suppress their feelings and ignore you or make fun of you, like wimpy little babies; and ones who have something fundamentally wrong with them who start out nice and loving and fun, but who then turn around and do something mean and stupid, like cheat on you. We will never figure out exactly what is wrong with the third kind, and neither will they, so they aren't worth thinking about.

Apparently, (and this was the talk that all mothers should have with their daughters) all straight boys fall at least a little in love with every girl they meet. It's not always enough to cause some kind of action, and it doesn't always last for long, but it always happens. This is the "great power" - the "great responsibility" part for us females is to make sure we don't go around breaking all those fragile male hearts that are constantly (though invisibly) being thrown our way.

Interesting theory, huh? I gotta say, I find it academically intriguing. But wait, there's more!

In order to ACTIVATE this female power to, say, get a guy you like to step up and ask you out, all a girl has to do (according to the book) is follow a few very simple steps. They are to 1) be kind and friendly, and 2) exude confidence and charm. That's it. It supposedly doesn't matter how you look or what you're wearing - just use those steps.

My response: "OK, I have really GOT to try this." And: "Kind of a cool thing to be telling the YA audience - be kind and friendly to people, have confidence in yourself and fun in your interactions with others, and you'll be fine!" I like it. I decided to try it.

- There's someone I interact with regularly that I don't particularly like, and those interactions have been very stiff and cold. I don't want this guy to ask me out, but I do wonder if I can get him to change the tenor of our work together by testing out those steps on him. I decided to start today – just a little bit, old habits and all that – and he’s already looking me in the eye again, for the first time in about a month. There might really be something to this whole “power” concept! And also, that men are relatively simple creatures. Whatever works.

So, are you with me? Who’s going to try it and report back? I bet it totally works on husbands, too! (Your own, I mean – don’t go testing this on anyone else’s… unless it’s clearly platonic and/or work related. As it were.) Have you found these principles to be true? Testify, my sistas!

Watch out for falling turtles,

Cyd

Exercise DVD's I've purchased in the last week: 3

Exercise DVD's I've checked out from the library in the last week: 5

Times I've exercised in the last week: 1 (yoga class at the gym)

Current hair color (as of this morning): Bright dark red

Bonus Content #4 (Plus Zombies!)

The only thing I like better than seeing a movie on Opening Day is seeing a movie BEFORE Opening Day... and last night, I saw Iron Man! (In theatres today.)

And it was MADE OF AWESOME.

This was one of the smartest comic book movies I've ever seen - and I was interested to read (on Wikipedia, so don't bet the farm on this tidbit) that the cast was allowed to improvise much of their own dialogue. If true, I'm now even more impressed with Robert Downey Jr., who was absolutely brilliantly cast as Tony Stark.

When you go, stay all the way through the credits - evidently, there's a surprise at the end, which I missed. I guess I'll just HAVE to go see it again! Darn.

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This morning in class the Question of the Day was: "In the event of the Apocalypse, what is your Zombie Contingency Plan?" (potential illustrations were included). Take a look at this article (if you dare), and then feel free to post your own ZCP here. I'm interested! (Plus, I want to know who to go stay with in the event of the Apocalypse.)

P.S. My ZCP definitely involves Tony Stark - if anybody is going to figure out a way to save me from hungry zombies, he is. (Huh. Maybe that should go on my list.)