OMG

I just got an interview for an instructor position at a college. Me! I'm not even finished my MA and they want to see me! Exclamation points!!! (I'm excited and I just had a huge cappucino at the Italian sports bar, so I'm feeling things in an amplified way). Even if nothing whatsoever comes of the interview, it's so gratifying to know that my CV is strong enough to get me in the door. Especially considering that I know PhDs who teach university and can't seem to get their foot in the door in the college system, it's that competitive around here.

Less chickadee, more updating

Back in town in time to catch a theatre production of an Alistair McLeod's No Great Mischief. The lead actor was excellent, and the music blended into the play was great (all the actors sang and played Celtic instruments at various points), but overall it didn't ever make me forget that I was watching a play. I think the people who put it on did an admirable job, overall, I blame McLeod. I've read his stuff before and it's always left me a little dissatisfied. I've never read one of his pieces and said "wow, I should recommend this to someone". Maybe it's that his work is too self-consciously preoccupied with its masculinity. Maybe it's the fact that I've grown up with the CBC's seasonal rotation of made-for-tv-movies about Newfoundland and Cape Breton, to the point were profound malaise and boredom sets in when I think of yet another story set there.

It should be noted that I would love to go to these places. I'm just sick of nostalgic/romantic representations of the East Coast on tv all the time. Get a new topic, b'y!

Minus, plus

I thought I'd tally up the totals. There is little to put down in the minus camp, so all in all, things can be said to be excellent. Let's start with the not-so-great:

-My desk is such a chaotic mess that I can't stand it. I blame all current and future procrastination solely on this expanding mountain of paper.

-Cold, wet weather has returned, which means my hands are numb and my head is swimming from allergies. Looking forward to moving to a new climate (Eastern Europe, T minus 8 months 16 days).

-I don't qualify for participation in the Amazing Race. I think that's prejudiced, and I'm of half a mind to write some strongly worded letters. Seriously, I can read a map, I speak like 10 languages, I've put together an amusing back story for myself and I need a million dollars. I'm shifting my allegiances back to Jeopardy. Alex Trebek doesn't discriminate against my nationality and he used to have a jaunty mustache, which is a sign of good faith in my books.

+I live with two great housemates. One went shopping while the other did a huge cleanup of the kitchen. Vegetarian sausage pie and mashed potatoes with gravy were waiting for me when I came home from work.

On the other hand:

+It's Spring. I know, it's been that way for a while. But I love the smell of the air every time I step out the door.

+There is an end in sight on my thesis project, even though I'm currently continuing with today's procrastination. I swear, thesis work begins as soon as this is finished.

+Missives from the Girls-in-Greece tag team. I love mail from other countries, even of the e-variety.

+People land on my blog by searching for tourtière and wine pairings (may I suggest a nice organic Beaujolais?). Note to all others: my thesis is not about hell, as such. And if you are truly having a hellish time with your thesis advisor, I'm not really going to be of much help. I absolutely adore mine.

+As stated above, I love my advisor. I've heard so many horror stories from friends that I know how lucky I am to have someone who has not only stuck by me this long, but constantly inspires me to keep going.

+At some point today, crêpes will be made. Oh, yes.


+Trivia nerds represent. The Trebek has a posse, yo.

Home stretch slack

One chapter, introduction and conclusion to go. Possible May thesis defence. A burning desire to get this thing done before summer starts in earnest.

Of course, this all means that I am spending most of my time studying the candidates for Top Model and trying to figure out who I hate the most (Jade), cheering on the hippies on Amazing Race and watching old Buffy episodes. And working various jobs in the mean time. I think the thing that really wrecks the progress is how when I finish a chapter I tell myself "you deserve a break for a few days". This stops the momentum and then I never want to come out of holiday exile because it's painful to start writing again.

But yesterday, during the exam supervision, while the students worked away at their tests, I took a few spare moments to scribble 250 new words into a blank exam book. Today, I'm bumping it up to my usual minimum of 500 words a day, no matter what. If my wrist holds out, I'll also work in some transcription of an interview. If not, article reading is go.

I continue to apply for jobs as they come along. The latest is perfect, and I think I stand a fairly good chance of being shortlisted. It's in publishing, at a place where I have a good contact (I wasn't sure about her until I submitted my application and then received a very enthusiastic email back about how happy she was to hear from me again) and is a telecommuting position. I'll know more at the end of the month.

Jack, I swear

I just watched Brokeback Mountain and would really like to just roll on the floor and cry for awhile.

So, what's new?

You know when you walk out of a job interview and go "Yes! Nailed it!"? Yeah, that didn't happen. They loved my writing samples, but asked me lots of technical questions that I didn't answer to the best of my abilities. They even asked about my experience with political economy, which was ackward seeing as I have none. So I did that thing, where you try to make it seem like you know what the hell you're talking about, though I'm not sure I pulled it off. I may have also ended an answer with "whatever", which can't be good. Man, I need to get my interview mojo back. Used to be that if I got in the door, I felt sure I'd get shortlisted or offered the job. Ah well, I looked hot, so I can always console myself with that bit of narcissism.

Thursday night was the OC (I know, I know, already) and rum and cokes with my favourite grad student peers which ended in a hottub session. New goal: find rich friends and make hottubing a weekly event. Friday, I took the shoes for a spin and dressed up for a department event. The best part may have been making my advisor do a double take at seeing me wearing a skirt. It's the simple things in life, y'know? Saturday, saw an old student of mine do a presentation on her research which knocked everyone's socks off and made me an insanely proud TA.

Now I'm trying to get back to work after a week of smiling dementedly and telling people "I'm planning on finishing this month!".

Oh, and I'm a year closer to 30. Birthday Week is coming to an end, but anyone trying to get gifties in under the wire will get a few days grace.

Via bookslut, the snarkiest and greatest thing I've read this weekend. George Saunders, amen.

The shoes, honey, the shoes

I got THE pair of shoes. You know the ones that make you do little twirls in front of the mirror without even meaning to?

The pre-interview wardrobe crisis has now officially come to an end. I've got a cute top, hot skirt and shoes that aren't made for combat or gardening. Perfect! Now, off to dream job interview!

I will post shoe pics soon.

J'adore le printemps. C'est écoeurant comme il fait beau dehors!

I'm giving up beer for Lent, make that forever

Is it possible to still be hungover from Thursday? Not eating much + too much beer = not a good scene. I like to think that I hid my over drunkeness pretty well until I got home (McFlirterson completely in check this time). And I managed to get up at 6am and then again at 8am to do online interviews with participants. The Almighty Bob was on the lookout for me on Friday, cuz both participants cancelled at the last minute and I was saved from having to interview people while holding my head and moaning. I went back to bed in between the two supposed interviews, but that was really all the sleep I got...which lead to 'hilarious' freakouts and a vaguely incoherent meeting with my advisor. And then a frantic dash for a ferry to the island, which was reached successfully after 6 hours of assorted transit fun. I like being the source of my own adversity.

All in all, I'm happy to be home now for a few days. Pyjamas are go.