News from my corner of the world: I'm STILL working on my dissertation. I've been working on graduate degrees at the University of Texas in Austin (go Longhorns!) since August 1997 ... managed to get my M.A. in 1999 and have spent the rest of the time slogging through my Ph.D. The coursework was fine, the years studying/researching abroad lovely, but the dissertation has taken on a monstrous life of its own. "ABD" is definitely a dirty little acronym....*sigh*
But I believe good can come from a lot of things, and here are some of the cool things I've discovered when NOT actually writing:
1) The music of Regina Spektor -- you can hear it for yourself here. She's playfully irreverent, and her voice has a very cool quality. Many thanks to The Lawyer and his wife and my dear friend The Librarian for introducing me to her ... and many other fantastic musicians.
2) Two children's books recommended by the Librarian: Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo and Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Both have been made into movies as well, but I recommend reading the books. Because they were written for "young adults", they're a quick read, but absolutely worth whatever time it takes.
3) A fantastic new blog by David Plotz, who is "Blogging the Bible". See his latest entry here.
4) The oh-so-yummy Villie's Subs in Hattiesburg, MS. Actually I discovered them long ago, but stop to eat every time I pass through. Their secret is the bread ... and the realization that a roast beef po'boy isn't worth eating if the gravy doesn't get all over your hands.
5) The guy who came up with "Don't Mess With Texas", Tim McClure, graduated from the University of Texas in 1971 ... which is the same year the original Hard Rock Cafe was founded in London. "Don't Mess With Texas" is the most successful anti-litter campaign ever, even more memorable than Hootie the Owl, but maybe not as gripping as the crying Native American. Another of the memorable ad campaigns to come out of his head: "Texas: A Whole Other Country". Now here's a question ... is he in any way responsible for Troy McClure on the Simpson's?
6) Blogging is much more fun than writing a dissertation. Maybe not as worthwhile, definitely not as conducive to a happy financial existence, perhaps not as ultimately fulfilling, but absolutely more fun.
7) This lady on a recent "Ellen" show is funny, funny, funny.
Whether she's as funny as the fruitcake lady on Jay Leno is entirely a matter of personal opinion...
4 comments:
Hooray!! Actual blog entries!! Now I have more to read when I should be working. And don't you worry - they give me plenty to do I have just made it a New Year's Resolution to pace myself.
The Math Geek? The Craft Queen?? How about "The Genius", "The World Traveler", "The Cool One", "The One I Wish to Emulate", "She Most Wise"?? Those are much better!
Here are few more suggestions in case you are having trouble deciding:
The Accountant (boring but true)
The CPA (ditto)
The International Tax Consultant (wow - I am almost ashamed to write some of this down)
The Asia Pacific Regional Tax Manager (that is what the Firm calls me, so why not you?)
The Genius (truth is worth repeating)
The Favorite
The Cute One
My Hero (that is your hero of course but when you are writing it is my. you understand.)
She Who Must Be Obeyed II
Now you should have plenty to choose from. I will expect improvement in the future. People will get the wrong impression if you call me The Math Geek. It promotes the stereotype that accountants do math all day, which is patently untrue. [clearly, we blog and comment on blogs all day which involves almost no math at all]
She most wise?
Oh, how I loves me some Regina Spektor, precious. I saw the video for "us" on Austin Music Network a couple of years ago late one night and fell in love.
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