Well, only four weeks and two days. I really cannot believe how quickly things have come to an end. I'm only in Darjeeling for another week.
I had many plans for my final full week, but thing have gotten a little strange here. Political things having to do with the discussions in Parliament about tribal status for the people here. Very long description could follow, but lets be honest. How many of you actually care? Hands? Didn't think so.
But what this means is that I had to stay at home for the last two days. There was a strike and people were unsure what would happen. Nothing terrible so don't start worrying. I am totally safe in my little house with my little watch dog. Actually, I should post a photo of Maggi. She is my neighbors' dog and I've been house sitting since they left in August. Maggi is cute with a ferocious bark. However, she is the size of a large house cat. Anyone who has met my sister's cat Eros would have a good size in mind for Maggi. But she does make me feel better and is better than a hot water bottle at night. The kicker is that she is afraid of people sometimes. So maybe I protect her. Either way, its nice to have the company especially in these times when I'm home for long stretches.
So with all this free time I've been finishing up things and preparing to leave. This has involved finally typing up some of my notes in my 489 notebooks. As most of you know, I can be absentminded sometimes. Ask me about the difference between code switching and code mixing and which scholars fall on each side...I'm right there with ya. But ask me where I left my sunglasses. Not quite so with it. I'm actually practicing for the Absent Minded Professor awards. I won't be eligible until I have a tenure track job which could take years. But in the meantime, I'm tearing up the amateur circuits. Watch out!
Since I've been stuck at home, I was wandering Amazon.com planning the additions to my book collection when I get back to the US. I can across one that could be useful but I’m just not sure I can do it: Microwave Cooking for One. Yes, this is the title. It is for sad, sad single women. Actually, the author says this is for the following situation—“When a woman finds her children grown and her husband away often on business trips, she continues to cook large meals because practice has become indelible routine.” Sounds like me. Except my children are unborn and my husband is MIA. Or rather entirely unknown. Maybe left for the business trip before we met and forgot to come back. But I digress… The recipes are not terrible, but I just don’t know if I could do this. I think instead, one would be advised to go out to dinner and meet new people. Perhaps find the lost husband and his half of the future children. Of course, this can happen to normal people, but not to graduate students. So I think I will stick with the cookbook. Definitely not THIS cookbook. Maybe something that calls for homemade bread and a traditional soup simmered for two days. Or something with couscous and apricots. That is more my style. But the best quality about this book is that it was published in 1985. I remember the microwaves back then. They were terrifying. We didn’t get one until the early 90’s mainly because my mother did all the cooking and she was afraid of killing one of us with it. I even remember always keeping a glass full of water inside. It was recommended just in case some “accidentally” turned it on. What did we think would happen? Seriously. Was is going to explode instantaneously? Did we think they would actually sell something to stupid consumers that was that dangerous? But the glass of water stayed for years until we realized that we didn't have a small nuclear device waiting to kill us all in the kitchen.
I've also been listening to my ever expanding music collection. Through various sources (tourists, friends, online, music here) I've expanded my collection from a mere 7 GB in May to the scary 47.58 GB today. Oh yeah. I currently have 35 days of music. 35 DAYS. That is just stupid (but, when I get back, I am up for exchanging music when I come to your town). But this is what iTunes will do to you. So I've decided to break out of my usual routine and go for some of the new. My conclusions are as follows (and they are in no particular order except the first one):
1) Aretha Franklin is one of the greatest artists of all time. I've listened to her stuff before, but wow. That woman can sing. She also may be one of the greatest role models for the modern woman as well. This is the woman who can sing about giving a girl her dues (Respect) and then turn around and also be tender and in love (You Send Me). It is awe inspiring. Well, maybe its more that I have always been focused on the one over the other. Maybe I'll just put those two on repeat instead of going to a therapist. Call it the Aretha method for saving your soul. Or maybe just my soul.
2) The Animals are a seriously underrated band. I'm sure everyone can remember "House of the Rising Sun." One of my favorites since I was young. But their other stuff is really good. Maybe its just they were a little before my generation's time. But they need to be revisited. Especially with some of the crap out there now masquerading as music.
3) I'm looking for the definitive version of particular songs. Not always the original. For example, The Weight. Originally by The Band, I just can't decide who would win if they were put head to head with Aretha Franklin. They are just totally different genres. I might say the original, but I am just so in love with Aretha right now. Another one: All Along the Watchtower. Who do you choose? Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, or Dave Matthews? Its been covered by hundreds of groups and artists, but I think only these three really captured the truth in the song. I realize some people take very strong views about this. Especially this guy I found online today (I TOLD you that I have lots of time on my hands right now):
by NerdyTheWell on 06-20-2002 @ 12:16:33 AM
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