You know what I want to do today? I want to sit in front of the t.v. and watch something mind-numbing. Like E! True Hollywood Story. On some pointless actor/actress like Kirk Cameron. Or better yet, E! True Hollywood Story: Growing Pains. Something pointless and fun. But, we don’t get any pointless and fun stations here in Eire, unless we have a satellite dish. We do not. Instead, I went running. Yes, I of the no-exercise, drink red wine ‘til I’m dehydrated regime, went running. And, worse yet, I like it. Even though I had to go in my pink intentionally-retro ‘80s Saucony sneakers. I’m sure I looked like some pretty princess, but whatever.
And, to make matters worse I had my thesis presentation today (Artistry and Influence: Ingmar Bergman’s Influence on the Films of Woody Allen), and my meaniepants advisor told me that I “don’t have a framework to hang (my) thesis on.” Like it’s not enough that I’m going to look at 6 films, and have made what looks like a criminal rap sheet on both directors. I hate this. I never thought I was a competitive person academically speaking, until I had to be in a program with a bunch of people studying the same thing as me. Okay, so that’s not rare, but it just aggravates me that I somehow got the most difficult advisor. And, he has tiny hands which scare the crap out of me. And, it doesn’t help that I’ve chosen two directors that people either love or loathe. AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! I am so frustrated! I’m sick of reading. I’m tired of writing papers. I have ceased to care.
Okay, no more whining. In some exciting news, the wonderful Joya came to visit this weekend and we did a whirlwind tour of Dublin—complete with viewing of the Bog Man (Davidde, how did we miss that little fella on our trip to the National History Museum?) And, I learned that all of ancient Ireland can be found in the bog. More than half of the jewelry/artifacts/bogmen in the museum were “found” by farmers or locals. How crazy is that? Why don’t I ever stumble upon ancient and priceless artifacts? Of course, in a blaze of efficiency and record-keeping the Irish Government now has a mandate that if you find any type of valuable artifact, you must turn it over to the state within 30 days or risk a fine of $100.000. The rationale? They don’t want anyone selling the stuff. As if you could just go to Ebay and buy your own personal bogman. . . Also, you may be interested in knowing that metal detectors are illegal in Ireland. When asked why, the tour guide pointed out that they don’t want “average Joes” finding artifacts and that when she “lived in Cape Cod for a summer, all you see are people going up and down the beach with metal detectors.” I wanted to let her know that they weren’t looking for ancient anything, just lost jewels or money, but I let her savor her pointless point.
And, now I must read about “The Quiet Man.”
8 Days until my birthday!
I want my gossip! - 2005-08-17
Goodbye, BGT! - 2005-08-08
hell hath no fury like a awriting workshop - 2005-08-01
My Love Don't Cost a Thing - 2005-07-14
Kiss My Grits! - 2005-07-06
