Sunday, February 29, 2004

Two Down, Two to Go 

Well, I survived opening night (which went great) and Saturday's performance (which was tolerable). It's amazing how much an audience can make or break a show. Friday's audience was great--large, laughing, loud. Saturday's audience was practically comatose. Combine that with some technical difficulties and it makes for a somewhat disappointing show. Oh, well, we still have two left, so I don't particularly mind. The Hardenbrooks came to Friday's performance (and brought me some beautiful flowers--Thank you!) and so did the Stennetts. Kandice's parents were there and the Grinders, Gismondis, and Thompsons. Good thing I didn't know all those people were coming or I would have been even more freaked out than I already was.

Well, my family is arriving today, so I'm going to have to discipline myself to get three papers written and study for a test before the Oscars start tonight. Yikes. (By the way, I know it's a long shot, but I'm still rooting for Johnny Depp for Best Actor.)

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Posted by: DVE / 11:44 AM
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Friday, February 27, 2004

The Big Day 

Evidence that I am suffering from opening night anxiety:
--Inability to sit still or pay attention to anything
--Overpowering desire to write lines from the play during Literary Criticism
--Cramping stomach and revulsion at the thought of food
--Profound annoyance with everyone around me
--Inability to do anything productive for the hour and a half before call time
--Complete system shutdown at the thought of all of my professors sitting in the audience tonight
--Tantalizing thoughts of jumping in my car and heading for Lebanon, never to return.

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Posted by: DVE / 3:14 PM
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Thursday, February 26, 2004

Twice a Bridesmaid.... 

I received three lovely roses from Julie Beymer today, along with a note asking me to be her bridesmaid. I've never been a bridesmaid before, and now it'll be twice in one summer, since Jenica's getting married too. How exciting! I must say, though, that I'm glad it's not me that's getting married. I have enough problems--oops, I mean, stress--in my life as it is.

I made an amazing discovery today: A Mead "English" notebook. It's a spiral bound notebook with college ruled paper and about five pages of English reference pages at the beginning. There's all the grammar stuff--punctuation, verb tenses, parts of speech--frequently misspelled words, writing tips, literary terms, poetry forms, MLA citation rules, Latin prefixes, the Greek alphabet, and proofreader's marks. Does it get any better than this? I don't think so. Where did I find this treasure, you ask? Only at our local Albertsons on S. 12th. Amazing, isn't it?

So, I've decided that I'm done with winter. I'm wearing flip flops from now on. Just because Nampa, Idaho doesn't realize that winter is over, that doesn't mean that I have to continue wallowing in it. And I'm wearing spring colors too. No more of these browns and navies and blacks. I'm done. Viva la revolucion!
Posted by: DVE / 11:44 AM
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Wednesday, February 25, 2004

"We are sorry to inform you..." 

Spent the day coping with rejection anxiety after receiving a less-than-welcoming letter from Brandeis University. Somehow, phrases like "we find that we must reject a number of excellent students..." and "I regret that we are unable to accept a large number of qualifiied applicants" don't help much, when it comes right down to it.

However, I did receive some comfort from my Series of Unfortunate Events calendar, which says, "February is the shortest month of the year, so if you are having a miserable month, try to schedule it for February."

Today we also performed a lovely abridged version of Pride and Prejudice in Brit Lit class. I must admit that the entire play was a shameless attempt to suck up to Tammy; in fact the whole thing was basically just one big inside joke, with references to Bridget Jones, Colin Firth's wet shirt scene, and British expletives. I hope that the rest of the class thought that it was at least mildly funny; I have no hopes that they actually understood any of it.

Yesterday, as today, it rained nearly all day long. Around five o'clock or so, Melody Eaton and I went for a lovely romp through the puddles. I should add that most of the puddles were about 32 1/2 degrees, since hail had melted in them only an hour or two before. So our toes and other extremeties were essentially numb. We got soaked from head to toe, and to top it off, as we began to consider going back inside for a nice hot cup of tea, I realized that I had lost my keys somewhere along the way, so we had to retrace our steps, dragging the deepest puddles with sticks, before we finally found them (happily, not in a puddle) on the outdoor basketball court by the Student Center. All in all, a successful puddle-jumping expedition. I think we'll wait a couple months before we try it again, though.

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Posted by: DVE / 3:48 PM
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Monday, February 23, 2004

People say that life is the thing, but I prefer reading. --Logan Pearsall Smith 

OK, so I am officially not terrified of opening night any more. Rehearsal tonight went well. Everyone seems to know their lines. I'm finally beginning to relax. I haven't even had any actor's nightmares this time around. My dress is still ugly, but what can you do?

Here's a fun site, if you want to kill a bit of time and get a laugh. I'm fond of the Matrix, so I think its hilarious. Also, I've been reading Cry, the Beloved Country the last few days, whenever I can fit in a few pages. It's wonderful. I love Alan Paton's style--so simple and so poignant. Definitely one of the best books I've read in awhile. It might even make my top ten list.

I would like to say that I have an interesting and amusing story or profound musings to share with you, but really, this week is just about survival for me. When the play is over, I'll get my life back and will be able to continue entertaining you with my oh-so-witty posts.

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Posted by: DVE / 10:00 PM
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Friday, February 20, 2004

I am a Feminist--by Christin Runkle and Jenifer Morris 

I am a feminist. I believe women should receive treatment that is equal to that of their male peers. I believe women should be paid the same wages as their male co-workers. I do not support the idea of lowering standards to "equal the playing field" for women.

I am a feminist. I do not believe that women are superior to men. I do not believe that men are superior to women. If a woman wants to wear a miniskirt, I do not believe that makes her promiscuous. I do not believe that her skirt causes men to lust. And if a woman never wears a skirt, I do not assume that she is a lesbian. I do not believe that female sexuality is dirty or sinful. I do not believe in double standards.

I am a feminist. I do not believe that women are objects of lust and desire, as my society thinks I am. I believe women should be treated with respect, as all human beings should. I believe that marriage and motherhood are wonderful things, but I do not believe that they validate a woman's existence. I believe women have the right to set their own standards and think their own thoughts, even if their goals differ from their parents' or community's.

I am a feminist. I believe women should have the right to walk down a street alone without the fear of being raped or assaulted. I believe that "no" means "no." I believe that all women should have the protection of the law to leave emotionally, physically or sexually abusive relationships without the fear of retribution from their abusers.

I am a feminist. I am not bitter or angry.

I am a feminist and if you agree with me, you are too.
Posted by: DVE / 3:59 PM
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Nampa Again Sees the Light of Day 

The sun has finally come out, which makes one little Nampa resident happy. Tammy laughed at me because I called her yesterday afternoon around 5 o'clock and begged her to go rollerblading with me. I had been stuck inside classrooms all day, looking out through the windows at the sun and blue sky, and I couldn't wait another minute to enjoy it. Weather makes such a difference in my happiness--not so much the sun, because I also like the rain--but the temperature. I hate the flat hardness of a frozen, cloudy day. I wish I were a bird and could fly south for the winter.

Happy Birthday one day late to my friend Kim, who is now 22--an age that basically means nothing, since you can already drink, smoke, gamble, have sex with people older than you, enter into legally binding contracts, and otherwise ruin your life with the government's blessing. But congratulations anyway, Kim.

Ok, a few recommendations for you all: first, Girl with a Pearl Earring, which is a movie (and book) out recently, although you will probably only find it at a few theaters--like the Flicks in Boise. It stars the dishy Colin Firth and the lovely Scarlett Johanneson, and it is beautifully filmed. I loved it. And it's set in Holland--always a plus for those of us with Dutch inclinations.
Second, a couple of books--Once Upon a Marigold and Coraline. They're both children's books, but completely opposite. OUM is a fairy tale: original and classic, hilarious and touching all at the same time--worth a purchase if you ask me; and Coraline is the creepiest, weirdest, most unnerving book I have ever read--half Alice in Wonderland, half horror novel. The best thing about it is its ability to terrify you without any of the conventional horror devices--no ghosts, murderers, chainsaws, or vampires. Just a precocious little girl who wanders through a forbidden door into an alternate universe where cats talk, rats sing, and people have buttons for eyes. Sound harmless? Read it. And then call me from your closet where you're cowering and tell me what you think.

Yesterday, I had a singular experience in French class: French disco. We listened to "Cette Annee La" three times--once to try to figure out the words, once for our teacher to tell us the words, and once to sing along. I tell you what, I have never had an experience like it. French is opening up a whole new world for me. Today, disco. Tomorrow, the world!

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Posted by: DVE / 11:44 AM
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Tuesday, February 17, 2004

Why Proms Are Never Themed "The Thirties" 

Can I just say that my costumes for the Jr. Class play are oh so attractive. I look matronly. So, anyone wishing to see me at my ugliest, please come see the play: February 27, 28, March 1, 2. You'll be dazzled, I assure you.

I got two unexpected emails today--one from my dear high school friend, Jaime, from whom I had not heard for probably a year or more, and one from a former NNUer and fellow actress, Kara, whose witty comments always make me laugh, whether they are in person or in an email.

This made me happy. Yay for Stacy Orrico not teaching little girls to be sluts. I don't listen to much CCM anymore, but Orrico's pretty good--sometimes you can hear her "There's Gotta Be More" on secular stations. Oh, and the article made me think of the last Crusader edition and Jenifer and Christin's poetic article on feminism. I think I'll see if they mind if I post it here, since it's fabulous and I wish I had written it.

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Posted by: DVE / 9:47 PM
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Monday, February 16, 2004

Things To Be Thankful For 

Someone once told me that there's always something to be thankful for if you look hard enough. So I looked around, and doggonit, they were right. Here is my thankful list for today:

--Our toilet in Olsen only has to be plunged every OTHER day
--I have the grand opportunity to teach a spelling workshop tomorrow to freshmen who are excited and self-motivated to learn how to spell words like "accede," "literate," and "correspond."
--I get to enjoy the below freezing temperatures, icy winds, and snow flurries of Nampa for another whole month before spring comes.
--After waiting a week and a half for my bananas to reach the perfect consistency for banana bread, I learned the valuable lesson that leaving out a half cup of flour makes a profound difference in the quality of the final product.
--My copy of the NY Times didn't come today, which helped me remember--I mean, celebrate--President's Day.
--I don't have to pay the power bill for our oven, which, when turned on to 350 degrees, can boil water on the range.
--There are six whole rehearsals left for the lead to memorize his lines before performance.
--I get to write a thoughtful, reflective response to John Muir's nature writing at 7am tomorrow.
--I can experience great personal satisfaction in each well-written blog post, despite the fact that my only readers in evidence are my mom and Stephanie.

Ah, that does feel better. Now, I'm going to bed, remembering the quote of the day: "Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of the night." --P.J. O'Rourke

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Posted by: DVE / 9:38 PM
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Saturday, February 14, 2004

Despite the fact that my cousin works at Pier One... 

Today I went to Cost Plus and bought a dark, elegant basket to hold my old copies of the NY Times (or whatever else I decide to put in it.) I love Cost Plus because it has all the same kind of stuff as Pier One, for about half the price. Plus they have all sorts of exotic foods (like Chocolate Limes, yumm!) Now, lest you think me exceedingly academic and politically aware, I must confess that my number one reason for getting the Times from the Political Science building every day is for the Lord of the Rings advertisement in the Arts section, which I cut out and add to my wall mural. Reading the front page is only my second reason. Sorry, Dr. Gismondi.

Now, here I have for you proof that John Keats and I were soul-mates in another life. This also will have to serve as my only acknowledgement of the horrible holiday that is upon us. (My Series of Unfortunate Events calendar describes today as "A day to avoid suspicious people, depressing books, and leaving your room.") Please read this poem and pretend it was addressed to me. (Note the reference to the basket... coincidence? I think not!)

Oh, and for those of you who don't know, I'm taking French. Hence the French date at the top of each post. I'm really quite thrilled about it, perhaps as much as I am about the Romantic poets. Today, I learned how to say, Ce n'est pas difficile parler Francais. J'ai trois livres de Francais et mil autre livres. If you actually know French, please don't leave any comments making fun of my grammar.

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Posted by: DVE / 6:51 PM
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Sonnet to my Plant 

I thought that I had killed you once before
In corner dark you stood alone and dry
As leaves fell one by one, I tried to pour
Some water in your soil lest you die.
Still fell your leaves in crackling crunching mass
I nearly gave you up, accepting once for all
That nursery blood flows not from dad to lass,
and bought a plastic plant from Boise Mall.
And then, oh joy, my roommates all moved out.
In my own room, a window spot was bare
And needed you, my plant, without a doubt,
To fill with life and thus perfume the air.
My blinds I open every day at ten.
My little plant has baby leaves again.

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Posted by: DVE / 9:28 AM
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Friday, February 13, 2004

Don't Like the Font? Tough. 

Whew. Just spent an exorbitant amount of time figuring out exactly what colors I wanted on my blog and implementing them. I did learn some HTML in high school, but it's changed since then, and it took me forever to wade through all that script to find the things I wanted to fix. At any rate, to anyone who complains about the fancy font, all I have to say to you is, a girl with handwriting like mine has to find artistic expression somewhere, so deal with it.

Today, for the first time, I met John Keats, who is the new love of my life. (Thanks to Tammy for the introduction.) "Was it a vision, or a waking dream?/ Fled is that music:--Do I wake or sleep?" In honor of my new infatuation, please read La Belle Dame sans Merci while simultaneously looking at this picture. Ahh, I think we would probably be married if we lived in the same century...except for that whole tuberculosis thing.... Of course, the trouble with survey courses is that you don't get to spend the weeks that you would like on just one poet. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have the time to memorize "Ode to a Nightengale" or "Lamia" and then just go around quoting it?

It was no dream; or say a dream it was,
Real are the dreams of Gods, and smoothly pass
Their pleasures in a long, immortal dream.

Someday I'm going to have a quote from a Romantic poet for every occasion on the tip of my tongue.

Today's Brit Lit class was eventful. The stupid freshmen who appear to have come to college not to learn, but to pick fights, were hardly inside the classroom door before they began whining about the impending quiz. "Can't we discuss the poems BEFORE we take the quiz?" they cried. "We didn't understand the reading. It was too hard." Silly freshmen...quizzes are to make you read, not test your class participation. "But the reading is too hard. We don't understand it! The words are too big!" Silly freshmen, have you never heard of sparknotes.com? Or come see me in the Academic Support Center *evil chuckle* . "But there's too much reading! Thirty pages! What about our social lives?" Clearly, sacrificing one of the hours devoted to X-Box would be too difficult. I think perhaps the admission requirements to this university should be a bit more stringent.

Of course, once class actually got started, they were much to busy doodling in their notebooks and whispering to one another to bother paying attention to the lecture or contributing to the discussion. Coleridge and Shelley would be appalled . And La Belle Dame wouldn't even bother seducing them.

Well, all I can say is too bad for them, because they missed out on all the cool stuff about the perpetual lovers on the Grecian urn and the enthralling Medusa-woman who turns men to stone. I can't believe I get to learn about this stuff for my major.

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Posted by: DVE / 8:55 PM
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Thursday, February 12, 2004

Why do I only get paid six dollars an hour for this? 

Hmmm, on second thought, I think the post that was here probably ought not be, since other people from NNU will probably be reading it and there are issues of confidentiality in the peer tutoring center. If you want to read about the Horrific Algebra Experience, email me and I'll send you the whole story: dialogue and commentary.
Posted by: DVE / 10:47 PM
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Hmm... having been inspired by Stephanie's and Sydney's faithful postings and the fact that I am thus able to keep updated on their daily lives, I have resolved to begin my own blog for the edification of my family (especially my mother, who I am assured will check it several times a day) and whatever friends I may have who are burdened with too much spare time. I make no promises about quantity, quality, or length of postings, nor even that I won't get tired of the whole thing in a week and delete it. However, since I like to write random journal entries and since I am always on the lookout for a new way to waste my time, the chances are pretty good that I'll continue. (In this case, I think that human psychology will work in my favor, since anyone who considers new posts on my blog to be a good thing [aka "reinforcement"] will find themselves reinforced on the most addicting schedule--randomly according to time--and thus will never be able to stop checking back on this website, probably for the rest of their lives. What a great way to ensure the loyalty of my friends!)

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Posted by: DVE / 9:42 PM
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