Punktual

I have been both exceptionally productive and lazy this week when it comes to writing and school work. Yesterday, I sat down and read the book I’ve picked for my Internship class book report, and then promptly sat down and hammered out the six-pages I needed to complete the assignment. It must have taken a lot longer than I thought, because I got back from work around 3.45 and the sun was setting when I finished. But it was done! That assignment has been hanging over my head for the whole of Spring Break and these last couple days as I rushed to find a book that really fit with my internship. I found an excellent book, besides the fact that it was very short (87 or so pages), which addressed both the academic publishing industry (in which I’m interning) and the Humanities (in which I am majoring). It was a really nifty little book, actually, and really made me think about some of the things I’ve noticed in the Press and in the English department. It’s called Enemies of Promise by Lindsay Waters, and I’d suggest anyone interested in publishing (either the industry or publishing their own writing) to check it out. It focuses a lot on academic publishing and the tenure system, but I think a huge amount of what she discusses in terms of the current capitalistic trends toward quantity over quality, and that sort of thing is relevant to any particular genre of writing.

Anyway, you probably aren’t that interested in that subject as I am, so moving on. I was also incredibly productive when it came to writing this week. Well, at least yesterday. I enjoyed a nice 3.5 hour writing marathon (11.00-2.30) last night and finished a short story I’d been thinking about all day. It’s so far from perfect, I won’t even go into it much, but it was a fun exercise in examining some of the background material for the Zero-Draft of the “novel” project I’m currently working on. Enough said about that!

Otherwise, however, I’ve been a terrible slacker. Some might call it prioritizing, but when I know the only reason I’m not doing the reading for a class is because I don’t feel like it and I’d rather junk out on TV instead? That’s lazy. The thing is, I really just haven’t been caring. This whole month is going to be a whirlwind of all those big end-of-semester assignments, and for some reason, I’m not scared. I’m not super prepared, but I’m just kind of coasting along. And I like that, because it means I get to enjoy myself a little more for these last few weeks while I’m in Albany. It could also be senioritis with complications from an onset of spring fever.

On a plus note, my mom informed me that I got a letter from UAlbany stating that provided I keep my grades up this semester, I’ll be graduating Summa Cum Laude, believe it or not! Crazy! That apparently means I get to put it on my resume and wear a nifty medallion at graduation. Sweet. I’m planning to work on the Commencement speech this weekend and see if I can’t pull of this wacky idea I’m trying for it.*

And last but not least, Andy is now sporting a nice three-inch thick mohawk. That’s right, you heard it here first. Why, you ask? It’s actually pretty simple. In about a month, we’ll be graduating, and with that step comes a slew of responsibilities which somewhat require a more professional appearance. We’re getting married, and then he’ll be going to chiropractic college. After that, he’ll be working in a clinic or starting up his own practice, and crazy hairdos just don’t really work in those situations. He realized that now is the time to try something wild, because he may never have the opportunity again. Hey, I’m all for it! I cut my hair shorter than I’ve ever cut it before last summer, and it was a blast! I’m not cutting it again too soon, but I’m seriously considering dying my hair brown (it’s practically brown already, but it’s in that odd in-between blond/brown color). Who knows? Hair is just that fun, non-permanent medium with which one can easily express oneself. And if you don’t like it, just grow it out or shave it off. Simple.

I’ve only gotten a few cheap pictures of it on his cellphone, but maybe tomorrow I’ll get him to let me take a proper one with his nice camera. Then I’ll post it here, if he lets me. Otherwise, I’ll just have to leave it up to your imaginations.

And that’s about it for me. I have to go into work early tomorrow (pre-8.30) so I can get into the office before everyone else heads down to a provost meeting. I have no idea how long it’s going to run, and I sort of hope I have the place to myself for the first half of the morning (I only work until 12.00 anyways on Fridays). That is, I hope I have the place to myself while I have work to do. I don’t want to be sitting around twiddling my thumbs. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see!

TTFN!

*My mom suggested the idea, and it’s a neat one, but I won’t spoil the surprise. If it’s any good, I’ll make sure you all have access to it in printed form, but I’m not promising anything grand.