TGIF, people!

(The writing-related humor just doesn't get old.)

Winter Happenings

It's very cold and snowy outside. And it will continue to be this way for another few days before we get any relief.

For the first time ever, I cancelled my classes this morning. They were calling for about 8 inches of snow today and that ended up not happening but I didn't want to take chances. So I spent the morning grading, then headed out into the Arctic to go to my grad classes. It's a good thing I did. They both gave extended pop quizzes on the readings.

It has been so cold that we sometimes put a heavy Aloha beach towel on Lucy's cage at night, just for a little extra coziness and a "den-like" feeling for her little rabbit instincts. We bunch it up on top of her cage during the day, which she finds absolutely irresistible.

She just can't help herself. It's very entertaining. Who needs a TV when you have a snotty, neurotic rabbit?

Do you hear that? I think the bed is calling me. It wants to spend some quality time with me and my Jane Austen secondary research readings. Hmm. I better not keep it waiting...

Introducing My Old Friend, Discipline, to My New Friend, Moderation

Hello, loves. I think about my blog peeps every day while I'm buried under slave narratives, Austen novels, and student essays.

As hard as it was to decide (finally) to quit tutoring, man oh man have I reaped the rewards on a daily basis. Who even knew what a difference it would make to be able to come home after work and school? I've started up on the treadmill again (read: staying awake to grade papers). The laundry is getting done. The dishes are getting done. We (sometimes) have groceries in the house. I no longer eat every meal at Chipotle or Carl's Jr. I don't sit in the car for hours a day. I don't fill up with gas twice a week. I have spare time on the weekends now that I'm not prepping tutoring lesson plans nonstop. And by "spare time" I mean extra nap time and cram time for the 4,000 novels I must read each week.

Let's take a minute and appreciate that. Let it sink in.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh

With this extra time - literally hours each week night - I am able to reacquaint myself with my old buddy, discipline. I've been grading 10 papers a day (this still takes hours, 2 at a minimum, closer to 3) so that I won't want to kill myself this weekend. I've been eating like a normal human instead of a starving refugee. I've been keeping up on my reading and even - get ready for this - have tackled a couple of New Yorkers this week. It's the first fun reading I've done since January. And it will most likely be the last until Spring Break at the end of next month.

No more of this

My goal is to bring fitness back into my life again. Biking, 5K's, walks, a little yoga with M-Dawg. Perhaps a push up or two. Maybe consuming less than 5,000 calories a day (with the exception of Lit Society of course. I mean, duh.).

One thing at a time, though. Gotta go grade.

Batman: How it All Began

B and I have become hooked on a new show: “Gotham”, on FOX.

“Gotham” follows the early career of Detective James Gordon, long before he would become Commissioner James Gordon of the Gotham City Police Department. Even though the show is set in Gotham City, the story of Bruce Wayne is not the centerpiece of this show—at least, not yet. We do see the seminal event in Bruce Wayne’s young life in the first episode, the event that would eventually lead him to don the cape and cowl of the Dark Knight; but the main story is the organized crime syndicates in the city, and Gordon’s fight with both them and the rampant corruption within GCPD and the city administration. But we do get to see glimpses of the early (and young) lives of several important characters in the Batman story. Bruce Wayne is 12, and is coming to terms with the sudden violent change in his world; Selena Kyle, who would grow up to be Catwoman, is a 14-year-old street orphan. Edward Nygma, the infamous Riddler, is a forensic pathologist with the GCPD; Oswald Cobblepot, the diabolical Penguin, is a small-time mob leader working for one of the two large crime syndicates, but you can tell he has plans of his own.

This is undoubtedly one of the best new shows I’ve seen in quite awhile. It’s not a good show with some potential, like last year’s “Almost Human”; it’s a great show with a lot of potential, if the writers and producers handle it properly. It is one of the only shows I’ve seen in quite some time where I want more as soon as the end credits roll. And not in an oh-my-gosh-what-a-cliffhanger-ending way; it’s that I just want to see more of the world the show creators have spun.

With a few minor exceptions, the acting is superb, and the dialogue avoids the campiness of the 1960s “Batman” TV show and even the more recent cheesiness of “Smallville” (I love “Smallville”, but some of the dialogue in that show is pretty rough). Of special note is Robin Lord Taylor, who plays Oswald Cobblepot; he is one of the best villains I’ve seen in recent memory on TV. But the standout star to me in “Gotham” is the city itself. The show’s creators have managed to make Gotham City look like the place you would imagine it to be. Everything is either old and dirty/grimy, or old and classy. The mob bosses drive old, big cars with fins on the tail; the police drive the old, large, boxy Chevy Caprice-style cars. It is set in modern-day; they do have cellphones and computers, and there are hints that Jim Gordon served in Iraq or Afghanistan. But the technology is downplayed and isn't front-and-center, as it in a lot of modern shows. There are no close-up, slow-motion shots of the Samsung logo on Gordon’s phone, or the Ford logo on the car he drives.

Now, a couple of cons, because not everything is perfect. The actress who plays Gordon’s fiancee missed her acting classes, I think, but thankfully she plays a pretty small role and the interplay between them is a side story to the main plot lines. Also, since this is an origin story, you know that certain characters aren’t going to die, no matter how much danger they’re in. But I’ve noticed that we tend to forget that whenever the main characters get into sticky situations—the element of suspense is still there.

It is not a superhero show; it is not the Batman version of “Smallville”. If anything, right now, it is a very good cop drama, but set against the backdrop of one of the most well-known superheroes in the DC Comics stable. And you don’t really need to be a fan of Batman or know much about the story to enjoy it. As a note of caution, it is an adult show, with adult themes, although there isn’t much sex or sexually-related humor. But it is very dark and deals with some dark, twisted criminal elements (if you know anything about the Batman universe, you know that the “Rogue’s Gallery” of villains are quite a disturbed lot).

I highly recommend it.

Turning the Ship

Denver is supposed to get about 1,000 inches of snow this weekend. I say bring it on.

Plans for this morning involve a honkin apple fritter and finalizing our taxes and after that? It's pj's all weekend long, baby!

Thanks to two incredibly stressful weekends in a row, involving every Austen novel known to man, this weekend I only have to read one novel, and it's not one of hers. I also have to finalize the next few weeks of class stuff because big papers are due on Tuesday and we're starting a new unit.

All of this can be done in pj's. While double fisting the diet dr peppers.

I feel like, after a year of some crazy transitions, the Wright ship is finally starting to right itself. We've been turning, turning, turning, and any day now, our ship will be on its new course and the crew can break for happy hour.

A lot of my tutoring has been transitioned, and the clients I still have are manageable. There were actually a couple of nights this week when I got to come home after work and class! Instead of driving all over the place. I actually didn't know what to do with myself. (Don't get me wrong - I pretty much live in a state of ignoring a good 75% of my homework.)

I've also managed to work in a fair amount of tequila during the week. This is not a good long term plan for me, as it is not conducive to...well...anything productive.

The writing consultant job is still incredibly stressful, but good. My goal is to stay there for the next several years, and to move up within the ranks as soon as possible so that bunny mama can afford her new tequila habit and also so that we can maybe take another vacation before we turn 65. I have been given some hard projects and some really hard workshops, so there's never a dull moment.

And this introvert is exhausted all the time.

But it's a good kind of exhausted.

I try to explain this to G as I shuck out of my work clothes and into my pj's at 7:00 p.m. and hop onto the couch to "read" my school stuff (i.e. intermittently nap and read for several hours while Lucy glares at me). I am at a place of happy exhaustion. I'm not sleepy because I'm depressed or anxious or needing to escape my current reality. I'm sleepy because I've used up my word quota for the day and need to recharge by reading feminist novels and slave narratives until 5:00 tomorrow morning when it starts all over again.

I am so, so glad I left my career to do something new.

I am so, so glad I took the biggest risk of my life.

Now, if we could just find a rich benefactor...we are in need of someone to finance our lifestyle and also elevate it about 3 notches. We're thinking: international travel, eating in nice restaurants, flying on elite air carriers, and renovating significant portions of our house. If you're interested, please email me immediately. I'll set down the apple fritter and we'll get started.

TGIF, people!

In case you're wondering, this is what a bunny looks like about 15 seconds before she goes berserk and gets into all kinds of trouble.

Another Honkin Change

Today, I woke up to this:

It is obviously the most romantic Valentine's Day Present, ever. Except for when I got Season 1 last year. G is a man after my own heart. Especially since Vday isn't even a thing around here. I ain't turnin down some DVD goodness, is all I'm sayin.

There were donuts for breakfast and then a romantic day of G nerding it up and me getting my hair done. There was this, at the salon:

You know I was down there on the floor, loving her up. Foils in my hair and all. She was precious.

Later in the day, we got new tires for my car. See? I told you! It's all romance, all the time.

Then I took a 3-hr nap after reading 1 page of Sense and Sensibility.

Can't you go outside and sleep, mom? Do you have to do it down here on my couch?

So, there's been another big change. Actually, it hasn't been fully resolved yet; it's currently changing. I've decided to quit most of my tutoring. Ever since classes started, I've been burning the candle at both ends, trying to keep up tutoring in conjunction with everything else. Which has meant that most nights of the week, after working a full day, I end up driving all over creation. It's no longer sustainable.

I've been waffling about quitting, though, because I like my students and their families and I've helped them actually make progress in school! It's a hard thing to just quit. But, earlier this week, G and I went out to dinner (GASP! That never happens!) and talked it over, and I felt really good about my decision. For the past couple of days I've been working out the details with the families, and on Monday I'll contact the tutoring companies.

I have been growing more and more comfortable with my decision, and then, I got our taxes done last night. Yes, on a Friday. It was misery. It took hours. I loathe taxes. I sit there and radiate bad energy. I feel for the accountant and yet hate taxes so much that it cancels out my pity and the whole experience is, let's just say, very negative. Everyone is happy when it's over.

Anyhoo, although the taxes worked out alright - and I use that term oh so loosely - I lost a lot of money on tutoring in 2014. Mostly because of mileage put on my car and the cost of research and supplies in support of the lessons. I put over 6,000 miles on my car! If you knew how little I get paid for tutoring, you would be reaching for the shot glasses right now.

So.

That totally affirmed my decision.

Does this mean you're going to be home more? **sigh**

There are a couple of clients I'm going to keep, but my work load will be much more manageable.

Yesterday I also had an interview for a teaching opportunity in the summer. Cross your fingers for me.

And that's all I got. If I don't hop to it on this latest Austen novel, I can kiss grad school goodbye. So, I'll end on this note...

Some snapshots of life, lately:

TGIF, people!

Holy Roman Empire

Remember like 1,000 years ago when Saturday Night Live used to have that running skit with Mike Myers (I think) dressed up as the older Jewish lady? He would mention some kind of a topic and then say, "Talk amongst ya selves..."

Well, there was one that we used to mimic in high school. He said, "The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman nor an empire..."

That's how Lit Society was last night.

You know the drill; it's all about the book and the food. Well, I hadn't read the book (what, with reading 4 novels the last 2 weeks - not kidding) and we weren't planning on going all out with the food. So, it was an unusual, but much needed, night!

I say we weren't planning to go all out with the food, but then this happened. A lobster pasta that I basically double fisted into my mouth within 5 minutes. This is what Chef Campo calls "whipping something up." Really? To me, whipping something up involves a call to Papa John's.

Thanks to a recipe from A-Peep, I brought the bomb of all desserts. A chocolate chip cookie crust, topped with double stuffed Oreos, topped with a dark chocolate brownie. It's elastic waistband all the time around here.

We talked a bit about the book (the review must wait 1,000 years until I have the time to read it) and mostly just caught up. My life is not all that manageable right now, and I needed a sanity check from my peeps. Things are good, just a bit out of control, and the Type A's don't like it when things get out of control. The Type A's want to reel it back in and force it into submission. And life just doesn't work that way.

Anyhoo, is this the cutest little bun bun you've ever seen or what?

Also? The weather has been magnificent lately. Like, in the 60's and 70's. It has felt like spring and has been super sunny. I think it's supposed to snow today or something. Because, you know, it's Denver.

OK, time to chug my coffee and go do the writing consultant thing. I'm so tired, I want to be like, "Here's the thing. I'm going to nap under the table while you write an introductory paragraph, OK? Thanks."

Break

Yesterday I took a much-needed break for a ladies' day with The Russkie. First there was brunch - BRUNCH! The best meal ever created! - at Boulder Cafe.

It occurs to me that, since most of you don't know her, you might picture The Russkie with a thick accent, toting a flask of vodka under her fir-trimmed hat. That's not actually the case, but go ahead and keep picturing her that way, just for fun! I call Putin "her boy" which she totally loves, let me tell you. And when Russia is in the news, I call her out on what "her people" are up to. It's a miracle she's willing to be seen in public with me, like, at all.

Southwest Eggs Benedict. Be still my beating heart.

Russkie got this egg quiche tortilla thing that was divine.

Then we saw the movie. Which I totally want to talk about, but first, I want to give props to the crunchy and organic people of Boulder for their outstanding movie theaters. We just went to the regular ole theater, nothing (I thought) fancy. Um, wrong. Um, I'm going to all the movies in the future at this place. They served Starbucks coffee (!) and real Boulder Creamery Ice Cream (!). What?? So, you know, THIS happened.

I used my waffle cone as a spoon. I may have also made grunting and snorting sounds.

The stadium seating was super steep as well, which I love, because then I don't have to grind my teeth during all the trailers, waiting for a giant to plop down directly in front of me. And the seats were super duper cushioned! More cushy for the tushy!

So, the movie: American Sniper

Source

The Clint Eastwood-directed film is based on the true story of Chris Kyle, who became one of the Army's most successful snipers in all of history. I've mentioned this before, but I have this thing about going to see certain based-on-real-life-current-war-movies (Zero Dark Thirty, Lone Survivor) because it helps me really picture what things are like, and what people go through. Even though it's Hollywood's version, still. I think many people appreciate the movie as an "experience" like I do.

Bradley Cooper did such a great job. Wow. Just, wow. The beginning of the movie was really slow as they developed Chris's character. This is truly a movie about him, not just his Army service, so there was a lot of cinematic attention paid to his youth and home life that I wasn't expecting. The movie, even while watching it, felt slow. But the cinematography, acting, screen shots, effects, everything, were superb. I recommend this with a caveat: there are some scenes with kids that might offend you (violence).

All in all, I need more days like yesterday. I will pay you $1,000 to clean my house and do my taxes for me. Also, please ensure that we get a $10,000-$20,000 refund in order to take several vacations next year. Thanks.

TGIF <--- this one's for the kids

This is how Lucy plays.