That have popped into my head in the past few weeks. Some of them are grad school related, some not so much. As a collection, I think they're funny.
- How many times would I have to run a Zizek article through Babelfish before it started to make sense to me?
- When Pandarus sticks his head under the sheet on the bed where his naked niece lies after having sex with Troilus, and they 'gan to pleye,' WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?! Ew, man.
- Will there ever be another Edmund as Edmund-y as Raul Julia's Edmund in Central Park in 1974?
- Why is microfiction so often about sex? Is it wrong that sexual microfiction makes me a) laugh, and b) feel sorry for the poor bastard who wrote it?
- Why do grown-up dressy shoes pinch so?
- Why didn't my relatives leave truly scandalous diaries for me to read? Relatedly, would it be OK to start telling fantastic lies in my own journal for the benefit of future generations on the swestersunu line?
- If my modern Americanist friends get all snooty with me again, would it be wrong to ask them how they manage to sort through the literally TEN YEARS worth of criticism on their author to come up with something new and interesting to say? Especially considering that they have to learn zero languages to do that? Because, seriously, the attitude is starting to grate.
- Why did I, a grown woman, get a pimple on the center of my nose the day I had to present a gift to somebody in a ceremony?
7 comments:
Because I do Old Norse, but no OE yet..
kvæði hon: "Why do grown-up dressy shoes pinch so?"
Because the patriarchy sez women are more focused on 'fashion' (i.e., having small little feets to please the menz) than comfort (what's that?)
kvæði hon: "...would it be wrong to ask them how they manage to sort through the literally TEN YEARS worth of criticism... they have to learn zero languages to do that?"
Not wrong at all, esp. considering the criticism they do have to read is not even, oh, in the literary style of 19th C. academia? (Note to self: Self, be grateful for friends who both study modern lit but don't act like jerks.)
kvæði hon: "Why did I, a grown woman, get a pimple on the center of my nose the day I had to present a gift to somebody in a ceremony?"
Heh, know that feeling. I've had more zits since turning 25 than I had for the ten years previous.
Heh, I might feel somewhat pleased noting that at 40 I no longer have zits... (Feeling of famous last words rising on the back of my neck)
However, I have a question for you. You're well read and know a thing or two about Anglo history.... Why is it that contemporary religious/politics discussions sound so much like pathetic middle-ages hellfire and brimstone power trips?
I'm horrified by the similarity between Victorian England and the contemporary Australian situation with right-wing freaks influencing the seat of power in this country. Please give me some cause for hope.
My first Chaucer prof identified completely with Pandarus, making him, in effect, the main character of the poem. And yes, it was rather disturbing. But also funny as all get out.
ps. What is microfiction?
pps. Thou shalt not take the name of Zizek in vain. Thou may takst his name in vein, however, should you find that convenient.
Relatedly, would it be OK to start telling fantastic lies in my own journal for the benefit of future generations
I used to do that, actually.
Pandarus always came off rather creepy to me.
We had a debate in class once whether he wanted to bed his niece or Troilus. I still say he wanted them both.
Nightgigjo,
I'm jealous of the Old Norse. I've been in grad school for nearly two years. Our Old Norse guy has been in Europe on research sabbaticals/funded thingamabobs that WHOLE time. Jeez!
Crowlie,
I wish I could give you solid, present cause for hope. Unfortunately, I think we have been having the same exact conversations in politics/religion for several centuries. The good news seems to be that the progressive side of the conversation reappears every 30-40 years rather than 100-200 years.
Bardiac,
Microfiction/flash fiction is fiction that has been reduced to limited -- and in some cases specific-- word counts, but contains the classic elements of the short story.
For examples see: http://www.vestalreview.net/Issue29/issue29.html
Dr.V,
That's hysterical. I propose a new group blog wherein we compete to create the best and most fantastic lies for future generations.
History Geek,
He totally wanted Troilus, but it was almost as if he would settle for Criseyde once she had been with Troilus. Which is almost the exact theory my creepy, anecdote-farm of an undergrad professor had about the relationship between Johannes Brahms and Clara Schumann.
I could go out on a limb here and suggest that most of religion has been a contest to concoct the best and most fantastic lies... but that would be churlish.
Only 30 to 40 years you think? Oh goodie. That means I may be alive for the next one. Thanks. ;-)
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