tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-129555502011-08-16T20:11:29.856-07:00Badgernoreply@blogger.comBlogger4501100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-32140859467943647552009-12-19T11:54:00.000-08:002009-12-19T12:05:23.682-08:00

Apparently Haloscan has been purchased by another company that now wants to charge to house blog comments. At first I just ignored the news as this is the only blog of mine that uses Haloscan. But when I read Scribbler's post this morning and thought about all the comments that have been left here, it seemed wrong to just let them disappear. I've exported everything from Haloscan, and while I

Badgernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-64882824309383986012009-10-26T12:28:00.000-07:002009-10-26T12:32:04.401-07:00

Oh hey.I've restarted blogging (yet again) at a new location (yet again). There's nothing there yet, but I can promise you tales of swashbuckling (ok, fencing class), romance (haha, um, no), and intrigue (yeah, I'm likely exaggerating the potential for that too).Badgerings, Version 6.0

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-85935780124134636862008-06-01T08:57:00.000-07:002008-11-03T20:18:25.262-08:00

It's still under construction, so please forgive the mess, but I'll be blogging here.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-51609491311783385122008-05-30T22:54:00.000-07:002008-05-31T07:11:38.776-07:00

"I thought maybe you'd fallen off the planet," a friend commented today. I think maybe I had.Or maybe, more accurately, I'd fallen into myself, cocooning in an act of self-preservation and (eventually...) transformation. In some ways, I'm giddy enough from certain things happening in my life right now that I can be a hot-damn-badger-butterfly. Although, in retrospect, I'm probably just a very

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1176158367765891112007-04-09T15:32:00.000-07:002007-04-09T15:39:27.786-07:00

Yeah -- I have been neglectful of the blog.I haven't felt much like documenting my world lately. I haven't felt like writing. I haven't felt like doing much...But I'm back from vacation -- really, I literally just walked in the door from a very good weekend in Canada. And I'm hoping I can get back to a rhythm of living... and writing.(Thanks to everyone who's emailed to ask if I'm ok. Somedays

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1166454439432623462006-12-18T06:53:00.000-08:002006-12-18T07:07:19.483-08:00

Although I've sworn recently to friends and family that I am tired of sadness and grieving, I must admit that the holiday hoopla doesn't really foster in me much joy. So again, in lieu of substantive blogging, a meme:This one asks for the first sentence from the first entry of each month of 2006. I think it does a good job highlighting the major events in my life from the year: the grief, the

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1165593933497122962006-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:002006-12-08T08:08:58.920-08:00

1. Yourself: lost2. Your spouse: dead3. Your hair: curly4. Your mother: manic5. Your father: alone6. Your favorite item: ipod7. Your dream last night: unattainable8. Your favorite drink: coffee9. Your dream car: none10. The room you are in: cold11. Your ex: who?12. Your fear: future13. What you want to be in 10 years: me14. Who you hung out with last night: Rav15. What you're not: greedy16.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1165156877192781852006-12-03T06:40:00.000-08:002006-12-03T06:41:17.213-08:00

Yeah, I'm still here. And yeah, I'm crazy busy. And yeah, I'm sorry I haven't updated the blog lately. And yeah, what with the madness of end-of-term and holidays, you might just have to wait a bit for a bloggier Badger.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1163195370768804262006-11-10T13:47:00.000-08:002006-11-10T13:50:41.240-08:00

casting of my hand

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1163089189675903202006-11-09T08:19:00.000-08:002006-11-09T10:51:38.353-08:00

My class was interrupted yesterday when the teacher from the next room came in to tell us to “turn the music down” as her class was "trying to learn." I do have to wonder if she would have admonished us if we’d been playing Mozart and not NWA.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1163089160684334742006-11-09T08:15:00.000-08:002006-11-09T08:19:20.703-08:00

Yesterday’s bus ride to work was almost bad enough to make me return to driving, global warming be damned. The first bus I take was running about fifteen minutes late and was crowded -- full of coughing, sneezing, sniffling passengers. (Just when I’m over my cold, of course.) Despite having my headphones on, I could clearly hear the conversation of the women seated behind me. One of them was

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1162577674775421922006-11-03T10:10:00.000-08:002006-11-03T10:14:34.833-08:00

I knew in advance that this week would be hellish, what with various appointments, examinations, obligations.Some things were much better than expected. My number wasn’t called for jury duty, for example. Some things were worse. Badger-boy’s braces are much more elaborate than I had envisioned and include this torture-devise that, cranked each night, will spread apart the teeth in his upper

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1161819793173652992006-10-25T16:40:00.000-07:002006-10-25T16:43:13.196-07:00

Well, not really two minutes worth. And not really hate. Just a few things that have irked me mightily over the last few days.My scratchy throatMy landlord who still hasn’t finished painting the houseThe UPS delivery person who said she’d refuse to make deliveries here if I didn’t have numbers on the house (see above)The eye doctor who deemed it necessary to dilate my pupilsThe head of my

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1161614489869177582006-10-23T07:36:00.000-07:002006-10-23T07:41:29.900-07:00

OK, I know, I know. I haven't updated the blog in a while. And when I do, it's just a few lines about illness and/or (parental/scholastic) frustration. And sorry -- this entry is more of the same. Last week was dreadful, as the kid was sick through all of it. And now, just as he's on the mend, I think I am succombing to a cold.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1161009978831202032006-10-16T07:44:00.000-07:002006-10-16T07:46:18.856-07:00

Prof. Indiana Jones denied tenure.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160970325541241842006-10-15T20:45:00.000-07:002006-10-15T20:47:48.526-07:00

Well, duh. The stomach flu’s contagious. So, duh. Badger-boy got sick.The flu passed through me in about 24 hours. Unfortunately, the kid is having a rougher time with it. He woke up from a nap this afternoon with excruciating sinus pain -- screaming and crying with sinus pain. It was so bad that we just had to make a trip to the emergency room.* * *I learned the other day that my

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160704338530956482006-10-12T18:52:00.000-07:002006-10-12T18:53:16.453-07:00

Because I got his progress report in the mail today.Ugh.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160628621695629922006-10-11T21:50:00.000-07:002006-10-11T21:52:47.896-07:00

It has been one thing after another chez Badger.This week’s crisis: stomach flu.I started feeling queasy Monday evening. I lay in bed clutching my gut ‘til 12:30am and hoping the nausea would go away, but alas! (blech!) I was up the rest of the night sick sick sick. Sick. SICK. I crawled out of bed about 8 Tuesday morning and informed Badger-boy, who – bless him – promptly got up, packed his

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160365000325923412006-10-08T20:36:00.000-07:002006-10-08T20:55:43.326-07:00

I just got back from watching Martin Scorsese’s new film – The Departed. In the words of the great cultural critic Ted “Theodore” Logan, “Whoa.” “Excellent.”OK, so I’m pretty biased. I love gangster films. I find something strangely appealing about the gangster, despite the rampant violence and misogyny. Perhaps it’s his insatiable appetite for life (for power, for sex, for food, for fashion

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160337650998505372006-10-08T13:00:00.000-07:002006-10-08T13:07:20.176-07:00

Best Teh uber l33t. South Park episode. ever.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160183792290241522006-10-06T18:07:00.000-07:002006-10-06T18:16:32.343-07:00

What with the cost of fuel and the unreliability of my vehicle, I’ve been back to taking the city bus to campus. As I’m quite sure I’ve said before, I live on the bus line shared by the mission, several drug rehab centers, a couple of assisted living centers, and two alternative high schools. All this makes for a decidedly interesting bus ride. And all this makes me love my new iPod even more,

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160086278799013852006-10-05T15:10:00.000-07:002006-10-05T15:11:18.850-07:00

Good news: Badger-boy's wrist isn't broken.Bad news: I've been summoned for jury duty.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160010895733031822006-10-04T17:58:00.000-07:002006-10-04T18:14:55.813-07:00

When I took Badger-boy to school this morning, the sky was overcast, and it was sprinkling rain. But he said, weather permitting, he planned on walking home from school. 3:35 rolled around this (partly cloudy but zero precipitation) afternoon, and he still wasn't home. I had a weird feeling, so I got in the car to find him. As I backed out of the driveway, I saw him coming, about three houses

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1160009922332833182006-10-04T17:48:00.000-07:002006-10-04T17:58:42.363-07:00

Many thanks to Moreena for nominating me for a Support-a-Mom contest. And many thanks to her readers and those who voted for me! I won!!(The prize is a spa gift certificate, but really -- and this might be corny, but hey -- the love and support of all my readers are themselves rich rewards.)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1159920476571396052006-10-03T17:05:00.000-07:002006-10-03T21:39:52.606-07:00

Edited: Too bad. Ya missed it

Badgernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1159637087407874872006-09-30T10:20:00.000-07:002006-09-30T10:43:35.510-07:00

Back-to-school was supposed to mean back-to-dissertating. But this past week was decidedly unproductive. Oh, I had good intentions. After teaching on Monday, I went to the library and checked out a bunch of books. I read one -- cover-to-cover -- that very afternoon, taking copious notes. But Monday evening, the Ethernet here at the house went out, and since then I’ve been battling non-stop

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1159321341342184812006-09-26T18:39:00.000-07:002006-09-26T18:42:21.360-07:00

My website as a graph:(Seen at scribblingwoman's.)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1158980083074202952006-09-22T19:52:00.000-07:002006-09-22T19:54:43.093-07:00

I just got home from taking a carload of teenage boys to see Jackass Number 2. It was all so so so wrong, but I laughed so so so hard.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1158699126250623942006-09-19T13:51:00.000-07:002006-09-19T13:52:06.276-07:00

I had thought that August 29 would pass, and I’d start September -- Year Two of the Rest of My Life -- with a bit more energy and focus. Needless to say, the one-year anniversary didn’t give me much relief from the grief. Some days, in fact, it looms even larger, and Mr. Badger’s absence feels all the more painful. I feel so utterly weak and exhausted.And I am seriously craving a spinach salad.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1157988094839181872006-09-11T08:06:00.000-07:002006-09-11T08:21:34.926-07:00

+* I love my iPod. I can't believe I went this long without buying one!* After several weeks of restricted nighttime driving, Badger-boy said "this is ridiculous," pulled out the manual from the glovebox, and changed the headlight on my car.* I am really looking forward to teaching my class this fall. It'll be the third time I've run this one, so I'm very familiar with the material. Students

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1157754068212699052006-09-08T15:13:00.000-07:002006-09-08T15:47:12.710-07:00

1. Three things that scare me:snakesheightsDick Cheney2. Three people who make me laugh:Stephen ColbertBadger-boySacha Baron Cohen3. Three things I hate the most:oppressionexploitationwillful ignorance4. Three things I don't understand:calculusPeter Jackson’s successthe argument that the war in Iraq is making us safer5. Three things I'm doing right now:reading Everything Bad is Good for

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1157752771611994402006-09-08T14:49:00.000-07:002006-09-08T15:01:47.180-07:00

You know the end of summer is upon us -- no, not with the kids back in school and not with a weekend weather forecast of rain -- when the summer reality TV shows move into their final episodes. My predictions for the ones I confess I'’ve been watching:Big Brother All-Stars: Mike Boogie (Yuck yuck yuck. I really wanted to see the evil Dr. Will win this again. But alas.)Rockstar Supernova:

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1157334664439416002006-09-03T18:47:00.000-07:002006-09-03T18:51:04.456-07:00

Latest dispatch from Jeff "Free" Luers

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1157239228177715712006-09-02T16:19:00.000-07:002006-09-02T20:27:29.276-07:00

Tattooed today:

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1157224112421149562006-09-02T12:06:00.000-07:002006-09-02T12:08:32.456-07:00

You can assess how well -- or how poorly -- I am coping by the absence on this blog of any substantial rants against my landlords. Although they are bane #2 of my existence right now (bane #1 being “the elephant”), I am finding it difficult to muster the strength to write about them. It’s a shame, really, because the Great Painting-the-House Fiasco of 2006 seems like it’s moving into full swing

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1156887594381929772006-08-29T14:38:00.000-07:002006-08-29T14:39:54.420-07:00

plums, grapes, apples, pears -- picked today in the backyard

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1156774160543808782006-08-28T06:25:00.000-07:002006-08-28T07:12:29.766-07:00

Oh yes, there's an elephant in the room, a giant thing I'm wishing I could ignore... And in the blogosphere, the premier tactic of avoidance: the meme. Mindspinner has tagged me for the book meme, and it seems easier to write about that than to address what tomorrow will bring.1) One book that changed your life:In some ways, I think, almost every book changes me -- opens my eyes, expands my

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1156513898192013792006-08-25T06:44:00.000-07:002006-08-25T06:51:38.210-07:00

I spoiled myself, buying an iPod for myself for my birthday. This means, of course, I've spent the last few days copying my CDs to it (and realizing how few songs on my CDs I actually like).So here it is, with a stack of albums still waiting to be uploaded, my first iPod shuffle:1. Cat Stevens -- "Father and Son"2. Gene Autry -- "Back in the Saddle Again"3. Nazareth -- "Love Hurts"4. The

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1156186137982328962006-08-21T11:46:00.000-07:002006-08-21T11:58:17.526-07:00

Tiramisu Cake (my gift from Badger-boy)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1156082861144963932006-08-20T07:06:00.000-07:002006-08-20T07:07:41.166-07:00

I've been quiet lately...I knew that no matter how fabulous my vacation, I'd return home to face great sadness. I'm thirty-five today; next week is the one-year anniversary of Mr. Badger's death.I'm struggling with these dates, with my past, my present, my future...

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1155323692345121012006-08-11T11:57:00.000-07:002006-08-11T22:18:45.256-07:00

Number of days gone from home: 15Number of planes taken: 9Number of suitcases lost by airlines: 2Number of contraband liquid/gel items I snuck through security yesterday: 5 (You can take away my freedom, but you'll never take away my Nutella)Number of quarts of blueberries I picked at my brother's house: 1.5Number of Cadbury Flake bars I ate while in Canada: 2Number of books I read:

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1155302640983675962006-08-11T06:19:00.000-07:002006-08-11T11:56:14.886-07:00

Badger-boy and I are back from our whirlwind trip through Maine and Ontario (the Georgian Bay, to be precise). Yesterday was a terrible day for traveling, but we arrived home tanned and rested.Unfortunately, we arrived home sans luggage (update: luggage arrived), to a house with none of the repairs complete that the landlord promised and to the news that I did not get any of those jobs for

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1153780339468805102006-07-24T15:29:00.000-07:002006-07-24T15:32:19.486-07:00

Badger-boy and I are headed out of town for a couple of weeks -- a much-deserved vacation.Two things I hope will happen while I'm gone:The baseball season will endI get a job offer

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1153510713219456672006-07-21T12:38:00.000-07:002006-07-21T12:38:33.333-07:00

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1153354890281477982006-07-19T17:19:00.000-07:002006-07-19T17:21:30.310-07:00

Both the Magic 8-ball and the horoscope had good things to say yesterday morning. Even better than these prediction devices: the interview went quite well.Fingers crossed!

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1153192722852783242006-07-17T20:17:00.000-07:002006-07-17T20:20:06.736-07:00

The job interview wasn't so great. Thankfully, it wasn't for the job I specifically applied for, so I'm just thinking of it as a trial run for tomorrow -- the interview for the position I really want.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1153112706161856902006-07-16T22:02:00.000-07:002006-07-16T22:05:39.550-07:00

Students' papers due tomorrow at 10am.Student's email tonight at 10pm: "Will you please read my essay and edit it before class tomorrow?"I started to type up a nasty response but deleted it. I'm just going to pretend I didn't check my email...

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152986210121879572006-07-15T10:51:00.000-07:002006-07-15T11:00:20.013-07:00

I missed updating the blog yesterday with Friday Art. Needless to say, with two job interviews to fret about, a final exam to write and proctor, a chunk of a chapter to submit, and a front and back lawn to mow -- all in the next few days -- as well as an upcoming vacation to prepare and pack for, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.Good thing I'm not a total control freak, eh?You Are 44% Control

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152837098247494762006-07-13T17:29:00.000-07:002006-07-13T17:31:38.266-07:00

Got the call. Not only will I be interviewing for the position I applied for, they want to interview me for the two other openings in the office as well.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152753416387778442006-07-12T18:06:00.000-07:002006-07-12T18:16:56.406-07:00

I was in the middle of getting a massage this afternoon, and the phone rang. (Yes, I have the best massage therapist in the world, and yes, she makes house calls.) I had a feeling I might get one today, as it's been a week to the day since the closing date for the job I applied for. And sure enough, when my massage was done and I looked at caller-ID, it had been a phone call from campus.But

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152579003352480292006-07-10T17:50:00.000-07:002006-07-10T18:24:17.216-07:00

For reasons that should really go in a different blog entry, I had to run an errand before class today. I left the house with plenty of time to purchase an Important Item, but alas, Store #1 did not have any in stock. I really felt like Important Item was, ya know, important, so I drove across town to Store #2, thinking I had lots of time and feeling confident that Store #2 would have it (or that

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152310306111692482006-07-07T15:10:00.000-07:002006-07-07T15:11:46.130-07:00

Which Pirates of the Caribbean character are you?(Seen at luckybuzz's)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152245649752840592006-07-06T21:07:00.000-07:002006-07-06T21:15:10.316-07:00

(Seen at Twisty's)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152235282225073442006-07-06T18:21:00.000-07:002006-07-06T18:23:45.990-07:00

Can a woman win Rockstar Supernova? (And would she want to?!?)Why does my county records office advertise on the radio? It’s not like you can get a birth or death certificate anywhere else.Now that we own a pool, why has it been so damn cool and rainy here?

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1152036961224407132006-07-04T11:16:00.000-07:002008-05-30T22:24:03.796-07:00

I’ve always loved watching fireworks. But lighting fireworks was never my thing. What with the long hair and fingernails and my hatred of moving quickly, I fear something’s gonna get singed.Fireworks were one of Mr. Badger’s joys. Thankfully, he loved lighting them, not merely watching them. He had terrific stories of childhood experiences with fireworks: how his grandmother in Mississippi

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151792904819421172006-07-01T15:25:00.000-07:002006-07-01T15:28:39.710-07:00

My brother and sister-in-law had a baby boy this afternoon!

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151792706375129842006-07-01T15:23:00.000-07:002006-07-01T15:28:29.956-07:00

In today's mail...'Nuff said.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151711579151200412006-06-30T16:48:00.000-07:002006-06-30T16:53:09.586-07:00

Another "bonus" feature of this house: the backyard is full of snakes. I really really really really really really really really hate snakes. And the dogs really really really love catching 'em.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151637727667288342006-06-29T20:22:00.000-07:002008-05-30T22:24:34.265-07:00

The backyard of our new house backs onto the neighborhood high school. More precisely, it backs onto the neighborhood high school’s baseball diamond. And this time of year, that diamond is busy -- loud and lit -- 24-7.(OK, OK, not 24. But certainly 14-7, which for a nerd like me is torture.)Baseball, softball, local teams, corporate teams, church teams, youth teams. There’s never any applause

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151375636829310822006-06-26T19:30:00.000-07:002006-06-27T06:48:56.900-07:00

Between the scorching heat again today and the begging and the pleading, I succumbed to fulfilling Badger-boy's "lifelong dream" -- to buy a backyard pool.Drowning in joy...

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151293100653201362006-06-25T20:36:00.000-07:002006-06-25T20:42:41.396-07:00

I asked him to water the lawn and planters. It's been almost 100 degrees the last few days, and everything was looking pretty sad and wilty. When I heard the crazed laughter and squeals of delight, I knew that the chore had transformed into something else...

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151105438000544882006-06-23T16:25:00.000-07:002006-06-23T16:30:38.016-07:00

Mr. Badger's Art Show, October 2000(A reminder to me that once things settle down(!), I want to organize a show of his work.)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1151035218928370032006-06-22T21:00:00.000-07:002006-06-22T21:11:05.063-07:00

Today’s Cluster Bummer:Car problems. Badger-boy friend drama. Landlord grumblings.But hey, I have two stellar letters of recommendation sitting on the fax machine of my potential employer. Snickollet had her babies (congratulations!). And there are brownies in the fresh out of the oven.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1150826581467236822006-06-20T11:03:00.000-07:002006-06-20T11:07:11.353-07:00

My brother asked me why I haven’t blogged about my most recent run-in with the Social Security Administration. It’s because I am so damn tired of writing about my financial difficulties and their bureaucratic shittiness. Sufficed to say: they suck, and I’m poorer now because of it.I could stay on the happy bloggy track, with updates on the job application front. Writing to the head of my

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1150495841318152782006-06-16T15:10:00.000-07:002006-06-16T15:17:25.113-07:00

It’s the last day of seventh grade for Badger-boy (and I'm exhausted), and I’m sitting here grading papers (more exhaustion). Well, sorta grading, sorta watching the DVD of the new(ish) Battlestar Galactica series, sorta reminiscing about how much the Cylons scared me as a kid, sorta glad these damn essays haven’t ruined my love of science fiction forever. This is a long and round-about way of

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1150384486491953222006-06-15T08:14:00.000-07:002006-06-15T08:16:48.943-07:00

I started another dark and gloomy blog entry -- a birthday and father’s day without Mr. Badger, a lousy report card, an unfinished dissertation, excema, grading final exams, the return-of-summer-school bullshit. But I scrapped it, unwilling to post another depressing piece of writing. I’m forcing myself to go the “good news” route today instead.A pending publication that I had to remove from my

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1150057508758782832006-06-11T13:25:00.000-07:002006-06-11T13:28:48.490-07:00

“It’s a boy!” Mr. Badger exclaimed with surprise, for we were certain the baby would be a girl. Thirteen years to the day have past since I gave birth to that boy. It seems like a lifetime ago, and it seems like only yesterday -- a happy couple starts a happy family. And now my baby is a teenager, on the cusp of being a man.He had a great party yesterday, and he says he’s having a good day today

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149891031875146982006-06-09T15:02:00.000-07:002006-06-09T15:13:26.056-07:00

The car is back in the shop. Can you believe it?!? And the mechanic said two words that made me feel sick to my stomach: head gasketLooking through paperwork on the vehicle, I found this doodle by Mr. Badger on the back of an old receipt for maintenance done a few years ago.Damn it. Damn it. Damn it all.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149886467010143512006-06-09T13:40:00.000-07:002006-06-09T13:54:27.076-07:00

Seen at Stewgad's:5 Items in my Fridge:1. Hummus (probably expired)2. Salsa (probably expired)3. Sour cream (probably expired)4. 2% milk, organic5. Extra sharp cheddar cheese5 Items in my Closet:1. My AC/DC Highway to Hell t-shirt2. My new grad school t-shirt3. Badger-boy's birthday presents4. Mr. Badger's flannel shirts5. The cat carriers5 Items in my Car:1. Road map2. Two boxes of crap that

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149817650995688222006-06-08T18:41:00.000-07:002006-06-08T18:54:18.893-07:00

Rebel Clown Army Occupies Recruitment CenterHaving been the target of numerous recent anti-war demonstrations, the Oakland Military Recruitment Center on Broadway at 21st Street met a different type of adversary on June 7th. The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (CIRCA) invaded and occupied the military recruitment center in downtown Oakland for about 45 minutes until they were forced out by

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149816697760642432006-06-08T18:26:00.000-07:002006-06-08T18:31:37.776-07:00

Final day of my science fiction class. Final activity? A fun activity! Meet online in Second Life. Play video game. Discuss virtual worlds.Guess how many students showed up?

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149604678046562112006-06-06T07:37:00.000-07:002006-06-06T08:06:40.896-07:00

About 10:30 last night, both dogs started to bark frenziedly. I was already undressed and was getting ready for bed. “Oh God,” I muttered, “is someone here? Now?” Badger-boy’s not-quite-manly response was to turn off all the lights and hide in his room. Me, I headed for the kitchen, the dogs, the hullabaloo, if only to make sure the backdoor was locked. I turned the light on on the back

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149545549675415082006-06-05T15:12:00.000-07:002006-06-05T15:19:57.730-07:00

My brother called today and asked if the reason I haven’t been updating my blog frequently is that I’ve been channeling my productive writing energies into the dissertation.No. I have not.Instead I have been:Missing Mr. BadgerGardeningPrepping for my class from hellMissing Mr. BadgerCleaningCookingCryingFretting about having a teenage son (Badger-boy turns 13 this weekend!!)Missing Mr.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149280849704824242006-06-02T13:40:00.000-07:002006-06-02T13:40:49.733-07:00

Tie Dye/Batik

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149050461418878222006-05-30T21:35:00.000-07:002006-05-30T21:44:48.946-07:00

Go read this, and weep for Dorcasina and her daughter.Then come back here and read Badger-boy’s experience with the “dead parent” thing in school today...-----Badger-boy’s response to a classmate who pointed to a photograph of a mummy and said, “Yo momma is so dead…”?He punched him in the ribs.Correction: Badger-boy’s best friend kicked the kid in the balls. Then Badger-boy hit him in the

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1149048485090642612006-05-30T20:57:00.000-07:002006-05-30T21:08:39.106-07:00

I had the audacity to give my students a pop quiz today. I say "audacity" because they responded with such utter indignation. Much moaning and eye-rolling and sitting with arms crossed across chest. Much huffing and puffing and muttering, especially when they asked "Will you grade these?" and I replied "Duh." I knew it'd be ugly when I heard them check in with each other before class (you

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1148940816462369422006-05-29T15:10:00.000-07:002006-05-29T15:21:48.970-07:00

Nine months later, and the wound is still so fresh and oh so painful.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1148868805509135722006-05-28T19:12:00.000-07:002006-05-29T07:52:32.763-07:00

I’m feeling depressed because ofa) my griefb) the rainc) my studentsd) my dissertatione) yard workf) house workg) the Ratt documentary I watched last nighth) my in-laws who called me out-of-the-blue and laid the guilt on thick when I said I didn’t think I’d be able to drop everything and drive Badger-boy 7+ hours east (tomorrow!) to see them while they’re vacationing in Montanai) bird fluj) gas

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1148657976051692142006-05-26T08:35:00.000-07:002006-05-26T08:43:58.470-07:00

You Are Jean GreyAlthough your fate is often unknown, you always seem to survive (even after death).Your mind is your greatest weapon, literally!Powers: telepathy and telekinesis, the ability to project thoughts into the mind of others, communication with animalsWhich of the X-Men Are You?

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1148492763076566262006-05-24T10:46:00.000-07:002006-05-24T11:05:58.236-07:00

Lengthy book review of Suzanne Matson's The Tree-sitter beneath the fold.------------------------------I can say (with just the slightest bit of professional hesitation) that Julia Kristeva’s The Samurai is one of the worst novels I’ve ever read. Typically bad fiction is painful to consume; but with her theoretical writings having caused me much frustration as a grad student (for those of you

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1148079461624245142006-05-19T15:56:00.000-07:002006-05-19T15:58:20.883-07:00

untitled (plaster casting)

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1147885609637743652006-05-17T10:01:00.000-07:002006-05-17T10:06:49.666-07:00

August 2005. He knew he was dying. My birthday was approaching, and it was clear the gift of living -- the gift I wanted most from him -- would not be available much longer. What to give your spouse then?!He bought me a AAA membership. * * *This morning when I went to take Badger-boy to school, the car wouldn't start. The engine click-clicked but wouldn't turn over."I don't like having to

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1147793663077274812006-05-16T08:34:00.000-07:002006-05-16T08:35:38.056-07:00

I’m still not sleeping well.It is, in part, the continuing restlessness of grieving, the discomfort and agitation of finding myself alone in bed at night thinking, “Is this my life?!”Primarily, it seems, I am kept awake at night by the other creatures I live with -- two dogs, two cats, one very-soon-to-be-teenage-boy. They are still adjusting to the new house and new sleeping arrangements.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1147470904385332712006-05-12T14:42:00.000-07:002006-05-12T14:55:04.436-07:00

No photo today as my digital camera seems to be malfunctioning. It's a shame too, as I've spent much of the week gardening in lieu of dissertating, and the garden looks (or is beginning to look) wonderful. The roses are starting to bloom, accompanying the columbine, rhodies, and bleeding hearts with an array of purples and reds. And as I've weeded I've uncovered loads of beautiful plants,

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1147224880060737572006-05-09T18:32:00.000-07:002006-05-09T18:34:40.076-07:00

...three movies none of y'all suggested:Knight Rider, Magnum PI, and The Fall Guy

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1147123285896972942006-05-08T14:21:00.000-07:002006-05-08T14:33:48.173-07:00

Movies currently in production: Miami Vice, The Transformers, Revenge of the Nerds.These titles sound familiar?What’s next?! A remake of Airwolf? Benson? The Love Boat? Punky Brewster?Somewhere, someone is working on a remake to The A-Team, I’m sure. Or they should be. They’d have to be disgruntled Persian Gulf vets this time around, so I’d cast George Clooney as “Hannibal” Smith, Ice Cube

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1147106679454058432006-05-08T09:44:00.000-07:002006-05-08T09:49:11.326-07:00

I remember when my dad brought home our first VCR (a Betamax). Accompanying it was a list of available videos from the newly-opened rental store. Three typewritten pages of titles! What selection! My brother and I were allowed to pick one title, and in addition, my dad would bring home films he felt were “required viewing” – mostly Westerns and WWII films, it seems. We never rented the same

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146855554412402222006-05-05T11:57:00.000-07:002006-05-05T11:59:14.436-07:00

Taking a break from gardening to show off some of the lovely blooms in my new yard:

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146627153421235692006-05-02T20:23:00.000-07:002006-05-02T21:01:49.326-07:00

Trader Joe's is my favorite place to go for snack food. I bought these today ---- and I recommend them. They are unusual, to be sure: a little sweet, a little savory, a little salty, a little gingery, a little sesame (duh). Stir fry meets fried potato. Yum.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146619271285352752006-05-02T18:21:00.000-07:002006-05-02T21:22:03.593-07:00

I met with my dissertation director today. She loved the first chapter. The only changes she requested involved definitional matters, and she told me to hold off on this revision ‘til after the dissertation is further along. Keep notes of these definitions on a separate piece of paper, she suggested, and then incorporate once I have a clearer sense of exactly what I want and need the

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146543448507897162006-05-01T21:14:00.000-07:002006-05-01T21:17:28.586-07:00

Spam spam spam spam spam.Serves me right, I suppose, since I've been neglecting the blog lately, that the only comments I've received today are spam.

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146266842306177572006-04-28T16:23:00.000-07:002006-04-28T16:27:22.323-07:00

Mr. Badger's dyes for sale, spring 2000

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146181682866015582006-04-27T16:45:00.000-07:002006-04-27T16:51:42.270-07:00

How is it that the insurance agent has required two phone calls to correct my mailing address, but Columbia House has managed to find my new location without being sent any updated information?

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146179739581690462006-04-27T16:05:00.000-07:002006-04-27T16:15:39.600-07:00

As I’ve blogged before, I teach sophomore-level literature classes that fufill the university’s “area requirement.” What this means is that the overwhelming majority of my students are not literature majors but are taking the class as a graduation requirement. Graduate students in my program get to design and teach their own courses, so a variety of topics are offered each term under the same

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1146146479805311662006-04-27T07:01:00.000-07:002006-04-27T07:07:55.440-07:00

You know some days when you wake up hoping the new day will be a better one and five minutes into it you realize that you are obviously headed for another shitty day? Well, that’s how I feel this morning.Yesterday was a medley of shit (literally) and bureaucracy. I spent the morning composing an exam that my students will take today. I hate writing exams – a subject for a later blog entry, I

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1145897857039118572006-04-24T09:57:00.000-07:002006-04-24T10:18:19.370-07:00

The "Roger Ebert Can Bite Me" MemeAlso seen at 1B*’s So this isn’t really a list of Roger Ebert’s “must-see-before-you-die” movies (it’s some other reviewer’s apparently), but I’m willing to jump on the “bite me” bandwagon merely because I find most film reviewers rather predictable and annoying. (Except you, Chuck, of course.) There’s a person who writes reviews for our local alternative

Badgernoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1145897339078645102006-04-24T09:41:00.000-07:002006-04-24T10:10:30.966-07:00

The ABC MemeSeen first (I think) at 1B*’sAccent: NoneBooze: Red wine (cabernet or merlot)Chore I Hate: All chores, really, but cleaning the bathroom is the worst.Dog or Cat: Two of eachEssential Electronics: Computer, with DSLFavorite Cologne(s): Don’t have a favorite, but rather a long list of dislikes, including patchouli and PoloGold or Silver: SilverHometown: Same as Dick Cheney’sInsomnia:

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1145642033894266032006-04-21T10:32:00.000-07:002006-04-21T10:54:29.590-07:00

This giant canvas mural was painted about six or seven years ago by over sixty youth who were hanging out downtown and were at the time being blamed for the struggling business activity there. Attempting to challenge the city council's policy of banning individuals from being in this public space, Mr. Badger sought to give the youth a means of self-expression. The photograph doesn't really do

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1145454073281659892006-04-18T23:00:00.000-07:002006-04-19T06:51:23.460-07:00

(in no particular order)1) turned in first chapter to dissertation director2) mowed lawn3) had nice conversation with mother-in-law4) gave Badger-boy some pointers to help with his first crushI'll keep you posted on 1) and 4). Heck, you'll probably have to hear me complain a lot this spring and summer about 2) as I've got a giant, hilly yard

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12955550.post-1145287583267444902006-04-17T08:23:00.000-07:002006-04-17T09:48:27.890-07:00

Saw this via the chutry experiment, but it's so powerful that I'm linking it here as well:John Lennon's "Imagine," performed by George W. Bush

Badgernoreply@blogger.com0