First Day of School

Nothing particularly amusing or interesting to say today, but I'm determined to start writing more or less daily, just to get myself back into the habit.

So, today is the first day of classes. I have this beautiful vista over my desk of all the books I'm going to be reading this semester. It may eventually become a daunting vista, because there are a whole lot of them.

I'm taking a general theory survey class in order to get my thinking muscles going. There's a lot of reading that goes along with it. It's kind of cool to me that I have a rough idea who most of the authors are and what they're talking about. I think it'll help me keep up with the other people in the class.

I'm also taking a class on Irish lit. Most of it is Beckett or post Beckett (Samuel, not Thomas a'). I'm also excited about this because while I have a decent knowledge of Irish social history, I know jack-all about any of the literature except the epics and a little about the Celtic Twilight crew. Still, there's a whole lot of reading.

I've become too used to class readers that are just filled with articles. Granted, journal articles tend to be thicker and slower going than novels or plays, but I'm a little ashamed to be so daunted by the array of books on my shelf.

I'm also excited, however. I really love the beginning of semesters. The classes are rather shroedinger-esque, in that they still have the possibility of being the best class you've ever taken, the one that vault's you -- Dead Poet's Society-style -- into whole new realms of creative intellectual inspiration. You haven't yet discovered that the prof is a plodding pedantic bore, or that your fellow students take on a glazed headlight-staring look whenever anyone talks about the texts.

Come to think of it, I've been feeling a little overwhelemed about things other than reading, too. I still have a few wrap-up things from last semester to take care of, and several grant/course proposal deadlines coming up. Then there's the Changeling game. It's very hard not to feel daunted by all the changeling work that is always looming over me, especially when I've been feeling like no matter how much I do, it's never enough and people are left feeling vaguely dissatisfied. One of my challenges to myself this semester is to figure out a new way to approach the game that is different from my current huddle under my carapace, or I'm going to explode poison over some poor unsuspecting schmoe who just wants me to run an omen for him. A flamethrower or chainsaw would help.

I'm also going to be actively working to get more fit. After the exercise in soul-crushing humiliation over the holiday that was bridesmaid dress shopping, I have come to the conclusion that this body is not for me. Since dieting is also not for me (I am a luxurious fox, and like my good food), less sitting around on my butt is my only option.

So, those are the tails I'm intending to earn this semester. Reading, general school maintenance/professionalism stuff, a new changling head, and a fitter kitsune body...

And maybe a flamethrower. Tourquoise, of course.