stgulik

Once again, the neverending paper, the one I've been working on for months, is done. On Friday afternoon we emailed it out to the client, and we invited her to let us know about any factual errors. My boss says she won't honor any requests for the addition of whole topics, though. The paper already has 40 pages and about 125 endnotes. If the client wants more on the subject, she can ask for a separate piece. I've covered everything in the original request, and frankly, my colleagues and I are collectively tired of the topic. :-)

My boss promised my next assignment will be on a more fun topic. How to get her to agree to let me write fanfiction ...?

Inspired by musesfool, here's my take on a really good meme. Warning: I own a lot of music samplers written by Gen-Y artists who are not exactly lucky in love.

The Playlist Poetry Meme
Put your music player on shuffle, and write down the first line of the first twenty songs. Post the poem that results. The first line of the twenty-first song is the title.

Didn’t I treat you right now?

Oh, I bet I know what you like
I’m sure that he could give you everything
So I wait my turn, I’m a modern man
Through the sleepless nights I cry for you

You push me
Help—I have done it again
Here we go again

You played the part of the one who was taken down by God
You think you’re so cool
So like your father in the face and blood
On a dark desert highway
You walk around in other towns

It’s a terrible love
I heard you calling me across the night sky
You left me here on your way to paradise

Billy was a train driving man
Dead red eyes
Three in the morning
Oh, there’s a fire where the city was
Stare at the sun

Signal boost!

DRAMIONELOVE MINI FEST 2016
Prompting: 25 February - 12 March
Sign-ups/Prompt Claiming: 13 March (first come, first-served ; open until 1 May)
Submissions Due: 5 May
Posting begins: 9 May

The paper from hell is done. Its Drop-dead Due Date was yesterday, close of business, and we managed to get it PDF'd and to the client with ten minutes to spare.

Ten minutes, baby!

There was a little dancing, I'll admit.

Next week, we dig back in and format it for printing, but that's going to be comparatively easy.

The paper I mentioned in December, the one that was supposed to be finished Dec. 30, was given a much-needed extension. Reviewer comments showed us we had more investigation and more write-up to do. So our new deadline was set for next Friday, a week from today.

And then, we drink.

But wait! We cannot drink yet! Because the next day, my daughter moves out. Yes, she and her friend Ashley finally found an apartment close to campus and fairly close to our house (to take advantage of laundry privileges, I am informed). So I think most of the weekend will be taken up with helping them box up their stuff and hauling it to their new place. But after that! Oh, yes!

but I never wave bye-bye.

So many people are sharing the David Bowie video that defines the reasons for their love and admiration. Here's mine. The yellow hair, the yellow suit, the nasty sax break, the dancing, the odd yet catchy lyrics. Mm.



See you later, Mr. Bowie.

A package from teddyradiator was waiting for us yesterday upon our return from my mother's house. Our girl has been working hard at her job and decorating her house like a veritable Christmas elf, yet she still found time to knit me a scarf, hat and gloves for the winter!


They're lovely and just the thing. Thank you again, dearest.

After a so-so week, I hand-crafted a nice, busy weekend full of delights.

( 100% spoiler-free )

Sorry, no delights the last few days, unless you count my delight at seeing the new Fantastic Beasts trailer. OMG, it looks like it's going to be so cool, with its American magical sensibilities, its period costumes, and the beauteous Eddie Tremayne carrying a case full of mysterious beings ...

I was surprised at the 'meh' reactions I heard yesterday. It was just a teaser trailer, people, enough to whet your appetite for the movie, for new situations and characters within the JKRverse. I mean, the silly thing isn't coming out until November 2016. They can't reveal too much, too soon--it would kill the sense of anticipation. And it would step all over the build-up to 'The Force Awakens.' Obviously, there's professional courtesy between movie studios at work here.

No, I don't know what I'm on about either.

Stupid Report is kicking my ass. Groom and I are Christmas-bickering. Send hugs.

Have I mentioned December is a Time For Concerts? It's been this way all my life, from the time my father conducted high school band. Then I grew up and married an aspiring opera singer, and begat an aspiring composer. End-of-the year concerts are our way of life.

On concert days, this is my usual dinner menu. It contains no dairy (which clogs a singer's throat), a lot of protein, vitamins, and just enough carbs to kick-start the evening.

Appetizer: Orange juice
Dinner: Spaghetti marinara
             Baked chicken
             Salad with italian dressing -OR- steamed broccoli
Dessert (optional): Sorbet, black coffee

For the vegetarian who doesn't happen to have to worry about her singing voice, I sprinkle cheese on the marinara and include fried tofu in the broccoli.

Anyway, I digress! Last night's delight was the annual Christmas concert, put on by our city orchestra and choir. The place was jam-packed with families wearing red sweaters. I chatted with one of Santa's well-meaning helpers--which, as you know, are easily recognized by their false beards.

I can't say I strictly enjoyed all the music. I think the choir director is trying to keep from getting bored with the usual fare by finding brand-new composers who spruce up carols with witty embellishments until the poor simple carols wind up losing their way to their own finales. His choices are starting to get too clever for the average ear. I must make a note to write to him; I'm sure he'll be delighted to take concrit from some random blogger.

Not to say everything on program was gratuitously esoteric. They did play Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride. Santa came up and did the thing: he tricked the choir director into giving up his baton and then conducted the orchestra for a while. I don't know why that never gets old for me. I might be entering my second childhood.