Just got back from DJing work. Not bad, not bad. Monkeyed with equipment, got the scoop on the job, specifically the club we do nights for.

I did manage to use my shin to catch the gig box a couple times. First day on the job and already bruised. Just like old times, working for the orchestra. One thing I'll definitely be grateful for is that this job will actually make me aware of my strength again (and perhaps urge me to work on it). I lifted the gig box by myself and all the equipment manager could say was "Whoa: you're a monster!" The other perk is that I'll learn how to handle the equipment. The other perk is that I'll actually get some official training on the mixer, so it'll no longer be "I'm not going to touch that, because I don't know what it does."

So, so far, it looks like all perks. Except, maybe, for the bruises. But I know how to deal with those.

Got the DJing gig. Start tomorrow.

Mental note number one: painting your own pottery at a place that fires it for you can be great fun. Not really a group interactive thing, unless you're making pottery that's supposed to go together, but fun nonetheless. We're going back. (We have to: our pieces aren't done. Mental note number two: painting a design always takes longer than you expect.)

Semester's over. Grades posted. Not done commenting on the drafts, but hey. I'm still feeling pretty good about it all.

Now: to figure out when I'm going home, and how much time I can spend there, considering I have to have my entire thesis done by the second week in January. First draft, obviously. But I'm probably short about, oh, at least fifty pages at this point. Mustmustmust get on that during break.

Just got off the bus, where I ran into a student of mine from this summer.

And we talked, you know? Talked, person to person: no student/teacher role bullshit involved. About his job at the local ski area, about moving West, about this town. And he's probably my age, if not older. He's been in town for 13 years, and is tired of it. "The novelty has worn off," he said.

And it was nice, you know? Real. On the level. I do that with current students as well. Outside of class, I'm just me. No bullshit. But there's still a level of formality that seems inavoidable. But I love running into students after their class is over and done with. There's just this relaxed air, which is near incomparable to anything else. It's great.

As much as seeing former students and classmates everywhere is kind of creepy to me--it makes me feel too well known, like I'm back in my itty-bitty high school--there's an up side to it, too.

And yes, it's waaaay too late for me to be up doing this.

Snowy snow.


My buried car.


Of the porch.


Off the porch.

Pictures, pictures. As promised. The sunset:

Oh, god, she's still doing it. And I'm pretty sure it's crying, not laughing.

Make it stop.

Hanging out with friends in the living room, idly watching Cartoon Network and working on various projects, including a new game. I can hear my roommate's girlfriend over the noise of the set, and I can't tell whether she's laughing or crying. Either way, it's more than slightly uncomfortable.

On a completely separate note, more and more places in the area are getting wireless networks, which makes me happy: Champs, the Alehouse, the student union, hell, even the cafe in my usual grocery store. It's crazy. But nice. So, if I get uncomfortable enough to flee, at least I'll have Internet access elsewhere, hopefully.

Just went out and took pictures of the load of snow that was dropped on us since Thursday night. Hopefully I'll post them when I get a chance. Also just realized that the pictures from a sunset that L. and I saw on last Sunday or so are still on that camera. I'm surprised at how well this camera takes sunsets.

I didn't even go outside to take these shots: didn't even put on shoes or leave the relative warmth of the house. I haven't left the house since Thursday afternoon. I'd forgotten how nice it is to stay cozily inside while the rest of the world gets blanketed around me. It's nice to have that option. I'll miss it next winter.

Just got back from the bar, after futzing around with my program buds. "Buds," obviously, a relative term. But it was good, since I've seen so little of them this semester. I've been avoiding the office, mostly because I know I don't need to be there, and I get more done at home.

Fun English grad bar nonsense: like J.P. cutting apart a Camel package for the letters to play mini-scrabble with. Which is so much more fun than the real game, because it's not really competitive. More collaborative. Which is why I can't deal with most board games: the collaborative version is much, much more fulfilling for me.

I'm up too late, considering the day I've got tomorrow. But you know, it's worth it. Besides, I've got little to do tomorrow: mostly it's just my presence that's necessary. And I haven't missed a day yet. Which is normal for me, for teaching anyway. But I'm proud of myself nevertheless.

Anyway. I'm glad I went. And I really shouldn't be writing this late/partially intoxicated. But here I am.

Oh, and upon returning from the bar, from one of my roommates:
"Want a beer? It's good beer."
"Eh, let me try yours." (taste) "Nope, not drunk enough."
(shared laughter)

We'll see if I keep up with this thing. I'm writing so much, in so many places, that projects get left behind occasionally. In fact, I had an article in the newspaper here last week, after a long hiatus from writing for them.

The basics right now:
- semester's almost over, one of the best semesters I've had here so far. I blame that on not taking any classes.
- I should've been working on my thesis during that time. Haven't gotten much done, really. (Thus the name, unproductive.) But I've got the main scenes from the first half of the novella. Which isn't bad, considering, I tend to think.
- I graduate, hopefully, in May.
- I'm teaching Intro to Fiction, and I've got a hell of a class. Best group of students I've ever worked with. I thought I was burnt out on teaching, but man, this semester has changed that attitude around entirely. I'm enjoying it again. (The fact that it's almost over doesn't hurt either.)

- I just (literally, just) got notified about an interview for the biggest local DJing company. I'm not entirely sure if I'm willing to sacrifice my weekends entirely, but it's worth investigating.

- I should be grading right now. In fact, I think I'll switch to that. Until next time.

Right. Here we are again. Online, new venue. Sort of. Or at least, on a venue I haven't used in ages, and even then, that was a shared blog.

If you don't already know me, this is probably not for you. If you do, and want to keep up with me, and maybe say 'hi' and such, here you are. Perfect spot. Have a seat. Pull up some floor and a cup of tea. Maybe even some scones, if that's your thing, although I won't be joining you in that one. Weirdo.

Here I am, on the level. No fancy writing (as in, I'm really not trying here), no smoke and mirrors, no hiding. Whatever. Here I am. Me, and that's all.