Back to Business

My last few posts have basically been "filler" to clog my blog up with something mainly to keep myself in some, although sporadic, rhythm of posting. Because let's face it -- my head has not been set on actively blogging. So much for taking the summer to beef this blogging project up. Oh well. I am finding a trend in my blogging; despite being wrapped up in grad school and all the ridic that it entails, I blog more when I am in the mindset of reading, writing, thinking critically, etc. Not only did I physically take a vacation this summer, my brain, while not taking what I'd call a full vacation for there was no numbing or hard drugs involved, and my knowledge-building energy went to a different, not-so-academic place. Granted my thesis and all things M.I.A. were not far from my mind (hell, she "retired"!), I found myself retreating and gravitating towards books that allowed me to build upon aspects of personal growth that aren't as easily, or at all, tapped into while in grad school. While this past school year I found myself forming so many new ideas that not only made "the personal political" regarding my own identity politics, I leapt and bounded ahead towards an academic career and community, that I could not be more excited to pursue. That being said, this semester I am tapping into a new, yet not completely foreign area of study that has always been on my "to do" or "to read" lists. To further expand upon and perhaps in a sense remedy my immature ideas on feminism, feminist aesthetics, and my self-identification as a strong woman, I am enrolled in two courses (the only courses I am taking this semester) addressing these issues. And, truly, what an exciting time to do it! Hold your breath. I am not going to slide into a rant on Sarah Palin ( but, god, do I want to!!!!). There are multiple reasons I am leaving this ordeal to continue to fester in my brain. So, I can't make any promises regarding future posts. But to squash the ability for thIS post to easily turn in a diatribe on Palin's and McCain's disgusting display of pseudo-feminism and the mainstream media's coverage of it, I am stopping here, for I need to read before my TA class in 30 mins. However, I will leave you all with the notes and letters of other women addressing these oh-so-prevalent issues being discussed: http://womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com/

Recovery

Ugh! I still feel like I am in recovery from this past school year. These past few weeks have been a challenge to feel situated. I feel like I went from going 150mph to abruptly pulling on the e-brake and coming to a complete halt. At first, the break was much needed, and the lack of academic responsibility ( or really having to do any type of work) was completely necessary and relieving, but now I am going a bit stir-crazy. Granted I realize there is not much I can do to get back into a steady routine till I'm back in Austin and my travels are over, I am in dire need of a break from my break. But who am I kidding? This hiatus of hardcore academic work has opened up the flood gates to get my life put back together in all the non-school arenas of my life -- socially, emotionally, physically. The problem is finding the energy and time to do it all post-semester when you brain has turned to Jello. Between friends visiting, packing and moving, wrapping up my assistantship, and preparing to tackle a thesis, I am needing a snap, slap, or kick back into a routine of some sort. Indeed, a creature of habit and stability I am and my root chakra is in dire need of some attention. As much as it kills me to admit it, my trip back to Indiana beginning in two days could not come soon enough.

Walter Benjamin, Be Still My Heart!

My second time around reading Walter Benjamin's "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" has me sold and swooning over his ideas. Granted he is long gone (and supposedly committed suicide?), I am utterly compelled with this piece and, thus, in love. Given everything one reads has its fair share of criticisms, I just feel like this second time around a lot more clicked and, thus, my level of appreciation rose.

If you know me well, you know I love my highlighters. And if you can judge the impact of a piece on my intellectual enlightenment by the amount of hot pink lines drawn on it, "Work of Art..." is the epitome. I might as well have just soaked the article in hot pink highlighter fluid; I was a highlighting queen while reading it. Yes, I acknowledge I am quite freakish, but whatevs I love reading this and can't wait for the summer so I can read the whole book. If I only could read in German...

No words...only laughs

And I laugh to keeping myself from crying ;)