Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Notes
In the future when having brilliant ideas about reforming social/academic clubs remember that this brings one in contact with bureaucracy.
This would be so much easier if I didn't live an hour (hour and half with traffic) away from my campus.
On a minor note we had a wonderful pre-class discussion/debate about why book burning is immoral. Which it is in my opinion and in (thankfully) most of my fellow classmates opinions. A quote I've heard before and I think needs repeating(and I paraphrase) "A society that burns books will soon burn people." As my professor pointed out by burning a book you are not just expressing your own opinion but violently suppressing ideas. Even if you do not burn all copies of a book you have still suppressed the idea.
This would be so much easier if I didn't live an hour (hour and half with traffic) away from my campus.
On a minor note we had a wonderful pre-class discussion/debate about why book burning is immoral. Which it is in my opinion and in (thankfully) most of my fellow classmates opinions. A quote I've heard before and I think needs repeating(and I paraphrase) "A society that burns books will soon burn people." As my professor pointed out by burning a book you are not just expressing your own opinion but violently suppressing ideas. Even if you do not burn all copies of a book you have still suppressed the idea.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Everyone loves gifts
Meme type thing taken from Quod She.
By the end of the calendar year, I will send a tangible, physical gift to each of the first five people to comment here. The catch? Each person must make the same offer on her/his blog.
If I don't already know you in real life, please shoot me a email with your address.
By the end of the calendar year, I will send a tangible, physical gift to each of the first five people to comment here. The catch? Each person must make the same offer on her/his blog.
If I don't already know you in real life, please shoot me a email with your address.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Prerequisites
Prerequisite. Those lovely things that you're supposed to take before you enroll in certain other classes. Prerequisites can often be annoying for students and seem to make little sense at times. They are there so us so that we , the students, don't take classes we're either a) not ready for yet or b) need to first gain the basic subject knowledge so that we can build upon it.
For example, you wouldn't expect a freshmen straight out of high school to be able to bypass English Comp and the world/British lit classes and go straight for Chaucer.
But most of you reading this know all of this, right? So why am I even bringing it up?
The last few semesters I've seen a smattering of freshmen in 3000 level classes, which I understand. Sometimes, freshmen are ready, or at least think they're ready. Plus, with AP tests and college credit while still in high school being popular in some areas, it makes sense that some incoming freshmen couldn be ready for 3000 level courses.
The problems start when you have freshmen in 4000 level seminar classes. No I take that back, that is just the most obvious problem. The problem is when you have people in 4000 level classes that have either forgotten everything from English comp or have never taken it. No, that isn't the full problem either.
The problem is when you have students in any advanced class that have not had the basics required to underst said advanced level class. Take an advanced American History course, in say the civil war, the students should have a basic understanding of the Civil War from their required American History classes, and so on and so forth.
I'd like to think, at my school at least, that these are computer errors with the on-line registration program (side note: Never mind that online registration programs are supposed to automatically assess a student's transcripts and have blocks in-place to prevent this kind of jumping). That freshmen really aren't being allowed (into seminar classes) by their advisors.
I'd really like to think that.
For example, you wouldn't expect a freshmen straight out of high school to be able to bypass English Comp and the world/British lit classes and go straight for Chaucer.
But most of you reading this know all of this, right? So why am I even bringing it up?
The last few semesters I've seen a smattering of freshmen in 3000 level classes, which I understand. Sometimes, freshmen are ready, or at least think they're ready. Plus, with AP tests and college credit while still in high school being popular in some areas, it makes sense that some incoming freshmen couldn be ready for 3000 level courses.
The problems start when you have freshmen in 4000 level seminar classes. No I take that back, that is just the most obvious problem. The problem is when you have people in 4000 level classes that have either forgotten everything from English comp or have never taken it. No, that isn't the full problem either.
The problem is when you have students in any advanced class that have not had the basics required to underst said advanced level class. Take an advanced American History course, in say the civil war, the students should have a basic understanding of the Civil War from their required American History classes, and so on and so forth.
I'd like to think, at my school at least, that these are computer errors with the on-line registration program (side note: Never mind that online registration programs are supposed to automatically assess a student's transcripts and have blocks in-place to prevent this kind of jumping). That freshmen really aren't being allowed (into seminar classes) by their advisors.
I'd really like to think that.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Poetry Friday: Sonnet 76
Diana Rigg reading Sonnet 76 from When Love Speaks
Sonnet 76
Why is my verse so barren of new pride,
So far from variation or quick change?
Why with the time do I not glance aside
To new-found methods and to compounds strange?
Why write I still all one, ever the same,
And keep invention in a noted weed,
That every word doth almost tell my name,
Showing their birth and where they did proceed?
O, know, sweet love, I always write of you,
And you and love are still my argument;
So all my best is dressing old words new,
Spending again what is already spent:
For as the sun is daily new and old,
So is my love still telling what is told.
Sonnet 76
Why is my verse so barren of new pride,
So far from variation or quick change?
Why with the time do I not glance aside
To new-found methods and to compounds strange?
Why write I still all one, ever the same,
And keep invention in a noted weed,
That every word doth almost tell my name,
Showing their birth and where they did proceed?
O, know, sweet love, I always write of you,
And you and love are still my argument;
So all my best is dressing old words new,
Spending again what is already spent:
For as the sun is daily new and old,
So is my love still telling what is told.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Because a good medieval tradition shouldn't die...
Per Omnia Saecula as something called Weird Medieval Animal Monday (or WMAM), where she features...well weird medieval animals.
Now in today's modern world we certainly couldn't have anything similar to those weird oddity of Medieval bestiaries could we?
Monkey Bees.
No really. Monkey Bees.
Now in today's modern world we certainly couldn't have anything similar to those weird oddity of Medieval bestiaries could we?
Monkey Bees.
No really. Monkey Bees.
Yes, I'm talking about the weird, stupid, and what-were-they-on animals of D&D.
Join Jared as he takes his readers through 30 YEARS OF VERY STUPID MONSTERS.
Check out the end of the article for a shout out to Pliny the Elder and the Bonnacon.
Monday, October 08, 2007
RIP Drier
My drier has officially died. It will spin no more, no matter what I do. Heat its got aplenty but it will not spin. Not to mention all the clothing that was in the drier at the time smell like a burnt up motor.
The worst part is that being its a stackable ventless dyer. Replacing it is going to be a pain and expensive. I've talked to my mum who is going to help me out a bit with the cost, not to mention letting me to laundry out her place for a while.
I, at least, have enough jeans to get through this week. So there's that.
Back to my paper.
The worst part is that being its a stackable ventless dyer. Replacing it is going to be a pain and expensive. I've talked to my mum who is going to help me out a bit with the cost, not to mention letting me to laundry out her place for a while.
I, at least, have enough jeans to get through this week. So there's that.
Back to my paper.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
The Naval Academy is Military?!
Yes, Idris, the Naval Academy is military.
What did you think they were going to teach him? How do to flower arrangements? Did you think he joined for the water-skiing and for the travel?
And maybe you shouldn't tell people that your best reasons for going to a college is becuase its pretty and people think your smart for going there
What did you think they were going to teach him? How do to flower arrangements? Did you think he joined for the water-skiing and for the travel?
And maybe you shouldn't tell people that your best reasons for going to a college is becuase its pretty and people think your smart for going there
Weekend to Do List
3. Clean: take out trash, vacuum, swifter floors
4. Do laundry which involved putting laundry away
5. Work on paper
6. Work on Latin
7. Make a dinner, as in actually making it not taking it from the freezer and putting it in the microwave.
8. Bathe cats.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Campus Frustrations
I'm frustrated as hell with my University at the moment. We have some great medievalists in the English department and we have a Medieval Studies MA in the English department(or so it seems but good luck finding clear info on it). We don't have a Medieval Studies program for undergrads. We don't have any clear support system for Medievalist in training or those even interested in it. I only know about our Society for Renaissance and Medieval studies because I was searching to make sure there wasn't already a Medieval club before I started getting paper work together.
You don't know who to talk to either for advice, and until this year the History department was devoid of Medievalists. So who do you talk to? The Chaucerian? The Anglo-Saxonist? The random Medievalist grad student that assures you there are lots of Medievalists floating about and tells you about all these great graduate classes?
How many undergrads are losing out because they don't know where to look or how to talk to? If I hadn't taken any upper level English classes I wouldn't know half of what I do about those to talk to on campus. Shouldn't out advisers be pointing students in the direction of faculty to talk to and actually advising us based on our goals? Shouldn't the enrollment system keep Freshmen out of upper level seminar classes? (Whoops different rant).
I'm still going to try and put together the Medieval Club, since the SRMS isn't a 'student' organization (and seems to be many grad students but they don't even make it clear what the requirements to join are). I want other students interested in becoming Medievalists to have the feeling of not being alone, whether they come from the History or English side of it. I want to get my fellow students interested in the subject. It's going to be a hell of alot of work, and I'm insane for doing it with everything else I have on my plate (including being in the Classics Club).
Tonight I plan nothing more ambitious than buying a bottle of wine and ordering in Indian. And if I do anything more than write my paper and watching Dresden Files this weekend, I'll be shocked.
You don't know who to talk to either for advice, and until this year the History department was devoid of Medievalists. So who do you talk to? The Chaucerian? The Anglo-Saxonist? The random Medievalist grad student that assures you there are lots of Medievalists floating about and tells you about all these great graduate classes?
How many undergrads are losing out because they don't know where to look or how to talk to? If I hadn't taken any upper level English classes I wouldn't know half of what I do about those to talk to on campus. Shouldn't out advisers be pointing students in the direction of faculty to talk to and actually advising us based on our goals? Shouldn't the enrollment system keep Freshmen out of upper level seminar classes? (Whoops different rant).
I'm still going to try and put together the Medieval Club, since the SRMS isn't a 'student' organization (and seems to be many grad students but they don't even make it clear what the requirements to join are). I want other students interested in becoming Medievalists to have the feeling of not being alone, whether they come from the History or English side of it. I want to get my fellow students interested in the subject. It's going to be a hell of alot of work, and I'm insane for doing it with everything else I have on my plate (including being in the Classics Club).
Tonight I plan nothing more ambitious than buying a bottle of wine and ordering in Indian. And if I do anything more than write my paper and watching Dresden Files this weekend, I'll be shocked.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Do to list
Things I need to do today:
1. Put laundry away.
2. Take books to Half Price books.
3. Pay bills
4. Go to the store for more Vitamin water and milk.
5. Work on Latin Homework/Study for Latin Quiz
Oh what a interesting life I lead.
1. Put laundry away.
2. Take books to Half Price books.
3. Pay bills
4. Go to the store for more Vitamin water and milk.
5. Work on Latin Homework/Study for Latin Quiz
Oh what a interesting life I lead.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Dear fellow Latin students,
Dear "know it all",
Please stop trying to impress the Professor with how smart you are. Not only is it annoying to your fellow students, but it also makes the fact that you haven't learned a single thing all year painfully obvious.
Sunt was on our last test. You should know what that means but now and that its not 3rd person future. You consistently ask questions that the Professor has just finished answering, or re-state what he just said as if it was a grand Revelation.
No love,
Me
Dear "its a imposition that I'm here so make it easier on me",
I'm frankly sick of your tone of voice when the Professor asks you a question or, heaven forbid, asks you to translate a sentence from our homework. Stop acting like he's picking on you or asking such a horrible thing. You oblivious don't care about learning Latin from the way you act and I'm really sick of hearing your snide comments under your breath.
By the way? Just because your older than the Professor doesn't mean you get to ask in a put out voice when he's going to put the lecture online. Really, you sound like a spoiled teenager.
Also no love,
Me
Randomly: I'm in the library at school and a seirn is going off outside. Most people aren't even looking up.
Please stop trying to impress the Professor with how smart you are. Not only is it annoying to your fellow students, but it also makes the fact that you haven't learned a single thing all year painfully obvious.
Sunt was on our last test. You should know what that means but now and that its not 3rd person future. You consistently ask questions that the Professor has just finished answering, or re-state what he just said as if it was a grand Revelation.
No love,
Me
Dear "its a imposition that I'm here so make it easier on me",
I'm frankly sick of your tone of voice when the Professor asks you a question or, heaven forbid, asks you to translate a sentence from our homework. Stop acting like he's picking on you or asking such a horrible thing. You oblivious don't care about learning Latin from the way you act and I'm really sick of hearing your snide comments under your breath.
By the way? Just because your older than the Professor doesn't mean you get to ask in a put out voice when he's going to put the lecture online. Really, you sound like a spoiled teenager.
Also no love,
Me
Randomly: I'm in the library at school and a seirn is going off outside. Most people aren't even looking up.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Alan Rickman reading Sonnet 130
From Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books -- Alan Rickman reads Sonnet 130.
Monday Update
(Real original title they, huh?)
I did what many of you suggested and acted like nothing had happened in class. Only the kick-ass British lady and girl that sits next to me, mentioned anything, but mostly to say they were glad I was okay and feeling better etc, and no to worry about it. The young man who (according to the Prof and girl that sits next to me) made a comment and seemed to find it all the funnest wasn't even in class today.
So things went well in that class even if we are behind a bit. I really hope we have time to do justice to the Hospitlars and Templars, and still get everything done that we need to. I can't wait to start on the second Crusade, even though I know we won't spent as much time on Eleanor of Aquitaine as I would like.
Latin let out early today, much to my disappointment. I never thought I'd love a language or enjoy translating this much. I'm currently reading Cat in the Hat in Latin and hopefully will be able to tackle the Harry Potter books at some point in the near future.
Sadly the medieval Latin course that my Prof was pushing for will not happen in Spring even though he had ten of us interested. I hope to that the school will A) keep him, B) let him teach Medieval Latin next fall.
Maybe Old English will be taught in spring this year, though. That would be lovely.
I did what many of you suggested and acted like nothing had happened in class. Only the kick-ass British lady and girl that sits next to me, mentioned anything, but mostly to say they were glad I was okay and feeling better etc, and no to worry about it. The young man who (according to the Prof and girl that sits next to me) made a comment and seemed to find it all the funnest wasn't even in class today.
So things went well in that class even if we are behind a bit. I really hope we have time to do justice to the Hospitlars and Templars, and still get everything done that we need to. I can't wait to start on the second Crusade, even though I know we won't spent as much time on Eleanor of Aquitaine as I would like.
Latin let out early today, much to my disappointment. I never thought I'd love a language or enjoy translating this much. I'm currently reading Cat in the Hat in Latin and hopefully will be able to tackle the Harry Potter books at some point in the near future.
Sadly the medieval Latin course that my Prof was pushing for will not happen in Spring even though he had ten of us interested. I hope to that the school will A) keep him, B) let him teach Medieval Latin next fall.
Maybe Old English will be taught in spring this year, though. That would be lovely.
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