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Guilty Post.
Jan. 20th, 2008 09:29 pmAs is often the case when class lets back in, I've been busy to the point of distraction. Week two just passed, and I'm already up to my neck in it--thank god. On the one hand, I'm exhausted constantly it seems; on the other hand, in comparison with last semester where things were generally even-handed, I'm really being put through my paces this time around and I love it. At least, I love it so far. We'll come back to that issue during spring break, after I've tested for Japanese proficiency, gotten through the expo that I'm working on, and submitted all my applications for summer funding.
But at least thus far (all fourteen days of it) things have gone well. I've already sorted out topics for my seminars on War and Representations of Death in Japanese Art, respectively, and even though I'm a week out from it I've begun to pour feverishly over images of onryō (怨霊, vengeful spirits) for the seminar session that I'll be leading. I've begun to work on a translation of the thirteenth century essay Hōjōki (An Account of My Hut) by Kamo no Chōmei for classical Japanese as well, which is a tremendous challenge but fun, too.
And, of course, it has not been all work and no play. Just this past week I had dinner with an old friend from out of town--one who I hadn't seen in nearly four years. His coming to New City was something totally unexpected (for him as well, as he hadn't realized I lived there until his wife pointed it out and suggested he make time for dinner), but it was a pleasure. There's something truly magical about rekindling friendships that have lain dormant.
I also did some good partying with the cohort. On Friday, we attended a gallery opening for the husband of one of the PhD candidates in the department and then spent about five hours at a bar, living it up. This evening, the first-years reunited for a dinner party (cheekily dubbed Josh-camp, after our Methods professor) and splendid evening in. We hope to do similar get-togethers from here on out, with the location roving from place to place. We'll have Superbowl Sunday and Movie Night (tm) and any other brand of mayhem that strikes. After all, you only live once, right?
Granted, I may not find time in the course of living to keep my blog updated, but you never know. I'm wild to throw out some theory from the War seminar, and to report on some interesting art world news, but I'll have to get to that another time.
Ta.
But at least thus far (all fourteen days of it) things have gone well. I've already sorted out topics for my seminars on War and Representations of Death in Japanese Art, respectively, and even though I'm a week out from it I've begun to pour feverishly over images of onryō (怨霊, vengeful spirits) for the seminar session that I'll be leading. I've begun to work on a translation of the thirteenth century essay Hōjōki (An Account of My Hut) by Kamo no Chōmei for classical Japanese as well, which is a tremendous challenge but fun, too.
And, of course, it has not been all work and no play. Just this past week I had dinner with an old friend from out of town--one who I hadn't seen in nearly four years. His coming to New City was something totally unexpected (for him as well, as he hadn't realized I lived there until his wife pointed it out and suggested he make time for dinner), but it was a pleasure. There's something truly magical about rekindling friendships that have lain dormant.
I also did some good partying with the cohort. On Friday, we attended a gallery opening for the husband of one of the PhD candidates in the department and then spent about five hours at a bar, living it up. This evening, the first-years reunited for a dinner party (cheekily dubbed Josh-camp, after our Methods professor) and splendid evening in. We hope to do similar get-togethers from here on out, with the location roving from place to place. We'll have Superbowl Sunday and Movie Night (tm) and any other brand of mayhem that strikes. After all, you only live once, right?
Granted, I may not find time in the course of living to keep my blog updated, but you never know. I'm wild to throw out some theory from the War seminar, and to report on some interesting art world news, but I'll have to get to that another time.
Ta.
