Which philosopher are you?

Your Score: Edmund Husserl

You scored 44 realism, 55 rationalism, 44 materialism, and 38 atomism!

Your philosopher is Edmund Gustav Albrecht Husserl, (April 8, 1859 - April 26, 1938), philosopher, was born into a Jewish family in Prostějov (Prossnitz), Moravia, Czech Republic (then part of the Austrian Empire). He is known as the "father" of phenomenology. You concentrate on the ideal, essential structures of consciousness. You think that that the world of objects is normally conceived of in what he called the "natural attitude", which is characterized by a belief that objects themselves have certain properties and in seeing these objects we come to understand what is inherent in them.

Link: The Philosophy Test written by Datamouse on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Because everybody needs a little surreal in their life...

marriedtothesea.com

comme-ci, comme-ca

These poor old Blogger pages have been quite neglected, as of late. Some may assume that the reason is, again, that time of semester when papers and seminars consume a good chuck of the waking time of the academy. That's indeed so, for many people. But a still more insidious procrastination technique has overtaken the cyber-world--Facebook.

I joined, as many do, because everyone they know is doing it (much like the peer pressure we're warned against in junior high!). The site is simple enough in its purpose and execution. You can post pictures, profile information, and messages, and only the people you accept as your friends get to see this information. Of course, the definition of "friend" seems to vary rather loosely, and while I have a modest, but pleasant, 60-ish friends, other people appear to be rather popular, and have lists in the hundreds. That said, it is a very nice way of keeping in touch with people whose company you've enjoyed, but haven't kept in close contact with. I've added a number of high school friends, and it is nice checking in on people's whereabouts. Almost eliminates the need for the high-school reunion...

And then it begins! The hours spent writing messages on each other's "walls," looking at the pictures of "friends," full of people you barely know, if at all, and the constant logging in, in the off-chance that someone may have responded to a note or wall message! Lately, I've taken to posting quizzes that I've gotten from www.blogthings.com and posting them into my Facebook, so that other people can take the quiz. It's like a black hole of non-productivity, but boy, is it fun!

And speaking of black holes of non-productivity, I should get away from the internet altogether and work on that thesis that must be finished so that I can start my PhD in the fall. Back to work with me...after I log into Facebook just one more time.

academic angst...

Very a propos

So, in the last day or so, I've read at least three blogs which speak to the academic ennui that seems to be pandemic around this time of year. I'm not sure if this speaks to some unique variation on Seasonal Affective Disorder, or if the weight of all that's been done (and has yet to be done) by those in the research and paper-churning world gets to a proverbial critical mass.

As for me, I completely get it. 1/3 (or 1/4, depending on which end of the spectrum I choose as my guideline) into my thesis, I still find myself wondering what, exactly, it's about. For someone who usually writes their introductions first (and eagerly! Writing intros and conclusions has always been my favourite part of composition), it's disconcerting to realize that I cannot write my introductory chapter, as I'm still messing around with the middle bits. When people ask me what my thesis is about, I usually excerpt/condense my SSHRC proposal, although I'm not entirely sure that my thesis on the ethics of form in Holocaust narrative isn't also turning into some sort of postmodern contemplation on consumerism and memory. Or maybe those ideas are related. As I said, I'm not sure ;)

Other than that, things are going alright. Enjoying v much the course I'm auditing--great text list. It speaks well to the degree to which I enjoy a course if I've consented to do work I'm in no way required to do! (Co)writing a joint paper on teleology in Whedon's Buffy-verse is going to be quite fun...

So, what is the cure for the mid-winter academic doldrums? Best as I can tell, it's to put your head down, and charge through it. We're all in it for a reason. We sometimes just need a little reminding as to why that is. Me, I love it. I love the feeling that comes when you've hit on that perfect article/seminar/conference topic that speaks to everything you're interested in. I love sitting around with like-minded individuals who deconstruct everything, from tv to movies to songs to novels. I enjoy getting up to speak in front of groups, and, most of all, I love writing. I was never terribly creative, per se (see my Ode to Sidewalks, for case in point), but in essay writing, I seem to have found my niche.

Final diagnosis: Mid-season academic blues.
R(x): Slap on some mellow jazz, take two Guinness, and call me in the morning! ;)

Ode to Sidewalks in Winter

sidewalks.
venerable cement pedestrian footpaths, ribbons if you will, of meandering architectural planning.
essential to our safety.
our lives, if i may be so bold.
but not according to
andy wells
and the city of
st. john's.

~fin

[disclaimer: yes. i know what an ode is. what kind of graduate student in english would i be if i didn't? please allow for (non)artistic license.]

that venerable speech from the leader of the free world: state of the union

the state of the union is this evening.
pundits expect that the focus will be shifted away from iraq on onto iran.
quelle shock.
there are also whisperings that dubya MAY even address the environment and alternative energy sources, like ethanol fuel etc.
get on board, georgie.
why not take a position that won't alienate you from, say, everybody? :P

What have they done to you??

After a morning of intellectual fun (auditing Chris' American Teleology class--been in fits of gladness about it since seeing syllabus--I think I really DO belong in academia), I spent the afternoon hanging out in the grad room, revising my thesis proposal, and waiting for various school chums to be ready for yet another sushi-extravaganza. (Note: I think I have a "problem" with sushi. About halfway through my meal, I became sad--nay, BLUE--that the meal is about to be over. My friend Vicki tells me that since it is such an inoffensive addiction, I shouldn't worry about it). At any rate, Andrea G decided to show me a video on YouTube--which often leads me to seeing things my life could really have been just fine without.

I am a child of the 90s.
I like Oasis.
Yeah, I went there.
I think "Champagne Supernova" is a perfectly lovely song.
As is "Wonderwall."
Unless this happens:


let's open door #1!

You don't even want to KNOW what they did to "Light My Fire."
Guh.