“Petty?”

I received a Facebook friend request from an individual I knew in high school. Not uncommon, right?

Except, in high school this individual was heading down the path of becoming a religious zealot. In fact, she made quite a few anti-gay comments during those formative years. Of course, that was before I came out (not that it — the coming out — surprised very many people).

Flash forward almost a decade since graduation to half an hour ago when the friend request arrived in my inbox. Does she know? Has she changed? Should I be nice and approve it?

Nope. Not going there. I ignored the request.

Am I being petty?

“Submission”

A conference and/or a journal.

Looks like I need to do a little research on the possible venue(s) for the paper.

We (the professor and I) are in agreement on the paper in its present form, and we brainstormed some of the points I want to clarify and emphasize. By Monday, I should have some preliminary revisions completed!

And I was afraid that I might not have anything to do for the next several weeks!

“Pretend I Know What I am Talking About”

A former teacher (a PhD student) asked me to speak/lecture to his class tomorrow about the day’s topics: gender and sexuality (with plenty of performativity and queer theory thrown in for good measure).

The students are all seniors, some of whom will graduate in August.

In fact, I probably walked with some of them during the graduation ceremony.

This should be interesting.

“A Glass Box High in the Sky”

Seriously, I would die.

Maybe not die … immediately … but hyperventilate? Most certainly.

No way in hell that I would ever step into a glass box hanging over a thousand feet in the sky from the side of the Sears Tower. Uh-uh!

“Death”

Wow.

I mean, damn.

“Stuff!”

Last night, we walked through each room of our (current) apartment and made a list of all the items we intend to sell/donate/toss.

You, my readers, might be pleased to know that we compiled a lengthy list. In addition to the second sofa, table and two bar stools, white coffee maker (because I want a black one to match the new appliances), and microwave previously earmarked for donation, we determined that several of our old picture frames, several shirts, a DVD player, a set of curtains, old towels, a juicer, a mini-food chopper, a set of wall shelves, some area rugs, a small CD player, and an old side table will all find new homes (or will meet the afterlife for unwanted crap).

Unfortunately, our progress may be undermined by the fact that we also made a list of all the things we would like to buy for the new apartment, including new side tables (because, well, we do not have any for the bedroom), some more lamps, new towels, and the aforementioned black coffee maker (which I found on sale at Target).

At least we get to shop.

Hooray.

“Powers of Observations”

I started my current job about nine months ago.

Every single day that I come to work involves at least one trip to the nearby men’s restroom.

I thought I knew the restroom pretty well. It is a rather boring space. The room is always clean (a plus for any public restroom). Sometimes the motion-activated paper towel dispenser is thrifty. All-in-all, a humdrum aspect of my daily work life.

So, what does it say about my powers of observation that today, after some 150+ visits to this same restroom, I just noticed a support beam in the stall that stretches half a foot over my head?

*Befuddled*

“You Oughtta Be in Print!”

It seems that one of my final essays may begin the process for publication. In the coming weeks, I will meet with the professor about the paper, how to improve it, where to send it for consideration. This is not really a surprise as the professor suggested this course of action not long after I presented my topic proposal (immediately after Spring Break). Also, this does not mean the paper will make it to publication.

Still, the thought of sending off one of my papers for publication consideration is exciting! Keep your fingers crossed.

Meanwhile, I should print a copy of the paper and do some mark-ups of my own.

“In the Kitchen”

Some of my recent vegetarian (and, often, vegan-friendly) creations:

 

Veggie Platter Pizza

 

Penne Veggie Casserole

 

Hummus Platter

“Pride ‘09″

With June comes Kelly’s annual Pride Challenge. I still have last year’s pride image on my blog (see side bar), but this year’s picture is rather pretty:

Pride 2009: Stonewall, 40 Years Later

Our Pride festival is one week from Saturday — June 27th. Anyone else celebrating Pride on or near the same date?

PS: Take the Pride Challenge yourself — post the above picture on your blog and leave a comment on Kelly’s blog (he will reciprocate with linky love).