I presented my thesis on fantasy literature yesterday at an academic conference. I had a lot of fun answering questions, and especially in the 2.5 hour conversation I had with a member of the audience after my panel section was done. I tell you that to tell you this: I heard a paper by a young woman who had an eating disorder, and she opened my mind to something I could have never thought to be a problem. True, her paper had nothing to do with literature, and should not have been include...

Strangest act I've seen I hated this song when it first came out, but I'm glad of it now because it proves so wonderful for parody!

I have to make this quick or I'll be late to class, but I had to tell everyone: I've been accepted to the University of Arkansas! After all that panicking, and anger at not being responded to, I finally got an email from their director of graduate studies. He apologized for the wait, but said he was trying to wait until he knew something definite about an assistantship. It will be a few weeks more before I know if I got one or not (fingers and toes crossed) but at least I'm in the pro...

Did you know that you could go to jail for having tuberculosis? You can. If you are classified as a public health threat and be placed in a jail cell with special ventilation. Mandatory quarantine while being treated like a criminal. I won't waste time by cutting and pasting here, but you can find the articles at whichever site you prefer. Foxnews.com -- Link CNN -- Link Next: By the end of 2007, all 50 states will be tracking AIDS patients by name. This was formerly done b...

I really can't believe it. I know it seems like my kind of show, but I still didn't think I'd like it. The Dresden Files. For some reason, this wizard detective show are trapped me into watching it. He's a fairly decent wizard, and the ghost he has working for him is nice and sarcastic. It's also fairly accurate as to what history would say certain herbs and amulets do. A little on the dramatic side, perhaps, but that's tv. It's cheesy. It's goofy. It makes fun of itself and I lo...

Over my spring break, I visited the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and was unimpressed by what I saw. The campus was falling apart, the people I spoke to were snobby and unhelpful. You would think that, since they did let me in, I would be worthy to talk to, yet they each acted as though I were wasting their time. I also discovered that the wonderful English major community that had been described is an illusion. Bleh. Not to mention they add an additional $12,000 for out of state ...

I've been having a pretty sucky day to put it mildly. I really wasn't in the mood to leave my research papers and German study to go to a pointless staff meeting, and that's the least of my problems. But, of course, I go because it is my job. I have to go... but I don't have to go with a smile. I walk in, sit down, and start writing. I pretty much ignore everyone and everything. Someone asks, "Jai? You okay?" Without looking up, I wave them away and say, "I'm fine" That should be e...

Is anyone else having problems with the black list? Mine doesn't seem to be all that effective of keeping people from posting on my articles... What's the deal?

I hate when I get in these moods. I mean, really, really hate these moods. It doesn't happen very often, but it happens often enough to bug me. I want to get married. I want to have kids. And I want it to happen soon. Seems like most of my friends are either 1. married, 2. having kids, 3. engaged, 4. in a relationship where an engagement is immanent. I know I'm not the only single gal out there, and I realize that 23 is not that old (despite what some well-meaning older peop...

As a few of you might be aware, I have been working out, eating right and losing weight lately. I feel better, I look better, and things are going well. I don't mind it when people say things like, "Wow, you look good! Are you losing weight?" or "Hey, you look like you've lost weight." It's nice that people notice... but why is that the first thing they notice and the thing they think is most important? I saw a friend recently that I have not seen in close to a year. Since that time...

Yes, I'm back after my much needed break. Here's what you've missed: I went to Tennessee on Thursday. Met with the director of graduate studies on Friday. Was back at home by 3am on Saturday. Lots and lots and lots of driving. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the school or program. According to the grad student I met with, the "sense of community" I was expecting is fairly non-existent. This makes me sad. Plus, the town was big, scary and 3/4 of it is under construction. I'm no...

I don't usually type in all caps but MY SPRING BREAK JUST STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so very happy right now. I have been so stressed out lately. This break is just what I needed. I'm going to blow off some steam with friends tonight, go home, see my folks, relax, go visit UTK, and do some homework. I wish I didn't have homework to do, but I'll deal. I gotta have something to do with my time anyway, might as well do some research. I won't have internet for the next week,...

As some of you may or may not know, I am an RA in an on-campus dorm. (I'm supposed to call it a Residence Hall) My job is to insure the safety of the residents, to provide them with information about campus, be a mentor, be a counselor, be a resource, plan programs, build community... and a bunch of small things. I also live in the newest dorm on campus. This is the first year that it has been open. Newest freaking building on campus. Already, the students have vandalized it tremend...

Once upon a time there lived a king. The king had a beautiful daughter, the PRINCESS. But there was a problem. Everything the princess touched would melt. No matter what; metal, wood, stone, anything she touched would melt. Because of this, men were afraid of her. Nobody would dare marry her. The king despaired. What could he do to help his daughter? He consulted his wizards and magicians. One wizard told the king, "If your daughter touches one th...

Once upon a time there lived a king. The king had a beautiful daughter, the PRINCESS. But there was a problem. Everything the princess touched would melt. No matter what; metal, wood, stone, anything she touched would melt. Because of this, men were afraid of her. Nobody would dare marry her. The king despaired. What could he do to help his daughter? He consulted his wizards and magicians. One wizard told the king, "If your daughter touches one th...