time to make my intentions clear

Well, today is the day: New Years Eve.  For those not already in the know, I am uber indifferent to the very notion of NYE.  I don't really get the desire to celebrate the coming of a new day.  Shoot, I am up past midnight right now and I didn't feel the need to drink champagne and find someone to kiss.  Just plain silly.  


Regardless of my indifference, I picked up the fun idea to list some intentions (not resolutions, but intentions) for the coming year by a dear friend of mine.  I figure that, given I am midway through my first year as a doctoral student, this would be as good a time as any to give this a go.  I also figured I should share these to give myself some accountability.  I also have worked hard to make sure these are goals that can be measured (my friend Kevin would be so proud of me for writing SMART goals).  I figured this will be easier for me to judge my progress than having goals like "be a better person"...cause that seems (a) like an awful goal to begin with (better than what?  What was "wrong" that needed to become better in the first place? Why the desire to be "better" even?) and (b) it doesn't give me anything to work toward other than a vague shadow of a quasi-goal.  So, without further ado, here are some of my intentions...


1. Cook 90% of my meals.  I have done decently well at this during the past couple years, but find myself slipping at certain points.  Hopefully this will keep me honest, especially with me traveling for conferences.  
2. Purchase 75% of non-food items from secondhand/thrift/goodwill/craft websites and stores.  Here's to economies of scale and supporting individuals rather than conglomerates.  
3. Take Grrtrude on long morning walks during weekdays.  Sometimes this happens, but I need to wake up early on a regular basis so we can burn off some of her energy.  
4. Take Grrtrude on long afternoon/evening walks 2-3 days a week.  I'll admit it - I got real lazy after classes last semester.  Thankfully I don't have classes that end at 9:00p regularly, which means longer walks will be easier to do for the both of us.  
5. Exercise 2-3 days a week.  I am not counting my mile walk to and from campus as exercise either.  I am talking about going to the gym, running, or using BetCi, which is on the indoor trainer.  
6. Go camping once a month during the summer.
7. Write 3 letters each week.  If you want some real snail mail, send me your address!
8. Journal at least once a week.
9. Make a portion or all of any gifts I give.  I figure this will help me make gift-giving special.  Food, crafts, and/or some other fun things will be made for those who I love.  Get ready!
10. Carry my camera with me regularly.  I have a nice one, so I might as well use it, right?


Ten should be good for now - I have some others, but I gotta leave something to the imagination, right?  


And what am I doing for New Years Eve, you ask?  I am spending the morning reading (I hope to finish book #5, and start book #6, of the break), having a low-key evening with friends, and ringing in the new year by giving my Number One Grrl in my life, Miss Grrtrude Anne, a big kiss.  Let's hope her breath doesn't smell too much like dog treats...

a season for reading

This is not a surprise for those who know me (which is really everyone who follows this blog), but I have an unusually intense habit of reading.  Some people have told me this is a result of my being in a doc program (or perhaps even a reason I was drawn back to the academy).  However, I know lots of people who are not interested in pursuing a terminal degree, but who love to read...not sure that line of thinking holds much water.  

Regardless, I love to read, and while I am not traveling for the winter holiday, I have been able to do lots of amazing reading.  In fact, the reading is so great that I wanted to be able to share some of it with you, my readers.  The only thing I ask is that if you actually pick up one of the books, just let me know what you think of it!  

Instead of going chronologically, I am going to move through the 3 (and a half) books I have read based on what still has me thinking and pondering and dreaming the most...

Queer Phenomenology by Sara Ahmed

Admittedly, this book is not for everyone.  In fact, I would say that if you are not interested in philosophy, queer theory, and/or some artful semantical twists, you should sit this one out.  Not because the book will be over your head (in fact, Ahmed does a great job writing for comprehension - a task some queer theorists just don't seem to get...*cough*PattiLather&JudithButler*cough*), but because you will likely just not dig on it.  

I am about 60% through this book so far, but whenever I pick it up I have a hard time putting it down.  This has meant I have been up until 2:00a some evenings/mornings.  Even when I try to put the book down, my head still swims with the way Ahmed weaves through and around concepts. This book is not without its critique though - something in the text has made me wonder how Ahmed, who identifies as a lesbian and thus part of the queer community, would react to different readings of queerness from those who identify as bisexual, pansexual, and/or polyamorous.  Her use of directionality speaks to people being "pulled" or "compelled" toward, as she would put it, "this" or "that" other person.  Although she invokes a one to one relationship here based on her personal experience (in this case a woman being drawn to a woman), there is a part in the book that makes me question whether she would see these other non-normative sexual orientations as valid as orientating some to various others (maybe even at the same time in terms of those who identify as poly).  

Also, while I have heard some folks frustrated with her lack of an all-encompassing vision of queerness, I am moved by the way Ahmed uses language (especially the notion of contingency) to explore how a queer phenomenology can be understood and deployed.  She sets an example that can be used in multiple queer contexts, so while she is looking specifically primarily at sexual orientation and somewhat at racism (chapter three, which I am about to start, discusses racism), one can see how this analysis would fit all queer identities, be they in terms of gender identity, social class, national origin, ability, etc.  

Normal Life by Dean Spade

Although this is second on my list, this is by far and away one of the most provocative and moving reads I have had in recent memory; and this is no hyperbole.  Dean Spade, who is a law professor at Seattle University School of Law and a founder of the Sylvia Rivera Law Project in New York City, wrote a beautiful book on what he describes as critical trans politics.  

This book, steeped in the legal tradition of critical race theory, demands that those who are part of the trans movement look to focus on activism that will actually increase life chances for subaltern populations.  Spade's intentional focus on intersectionality and on activism that actually increases life chances.  Spade is masterful in his sharp criticism of the lesbian and gay rights movement, uncovering how the legalizing gay marriage, allowing gays to serve openly in the military, anti-discrimination policies, and having LGBT folks included in hate crime legislation do not actually increase life chances for highly marginalized populations.  Hence, he says that legal advocacy and policy changes are not always the best place for substantial activism to be done.  

Instead, Spade looks at administrative systems (think IDs and healthcare) and how taking a critical approach to these systems could indeed increase life chances for trans and other subaltern populations.  Concerned with making real life changes, Spade strays from advocating for the inclusion of LGBT folks either at the risk of further marginalizing others and/or just advocating for these groups in namesake only.  His argument is clear, concise, meaningful, and provides a distinct direction for those looking to practice a politics of inclusion.  This is an absolute must read for folks interested in legal advocacy as well as working with/for/amongst marginalized populations (or are a part of such communities).  

Borderlands/La Frontera by Gloria Anzaldua

This book is part history, part personal narrative, part poetry, part meditation on writing, and part autobiography. Anzaldua, who weaves two languages together throughout the book, shows what it truly means to be vulnerable through her writing and how important it is to become fully enmeshed in the task of writing.  Her voice is powerful, and her words have stayed with me since I read her book a couple weeks ago.  

One of the best things about this book is its form.  The second half of the book is all poetry, which is glorious.  Indeed, some of the first half is poetry as well.  Also, despite me not understanding Spanish, I love how she unabashedly enhances her writing by doing so in both Spanish and English.  An interruption for some, it reminds those of us who do not speak/read Spanish to step outside of the English-centric world in which we live.  

This book opens up possibilities for how I write as I move forward in my career and life.  It also reminds me to center my own experiences in my writing, as writing is a deeply personal endeavor.  Additionally, Anzaldua reminds one of the beauty of, as she puts it, being "excruciatingly alive in the world."  This is just an all around good book for folks who love language, are writers, or want to push the bounds of how they think and perceive the world.  It is quite literally the most beautifully written book I have read in some time...so much so it almost moved me to tears...multiple times.  Yup - it's that good.  

The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson

As a number of people have kindly pointed out, this has been my only "fun read" of my break.  Despite my claiming otherwise, the claim has remained steadfast.  At least I haven't received any Shakespearian-inspired lines ("methinks she doth protest too much") regarding my insistence that all the reading I have been doing is (a) fun and (b) fun.  All in good time, I am sure...

But I digress...

This book, which I have been wanting to read since Jon Ronson was on The Daily Show (or maybe it was The Colbert Report?) this past summer, is witty, charming, and really engrossing.  I actually read this book in a day!  It is a fascinating look at the pathology of psychopathy as well as what Ronson defines as "the madness industry."  Ronson, who is the author who wrote The Men Who Stare At Goats, is very funny (but not cloyingly so) and engages the reader in a wonderfully-woven tale.  Anyone who has issues with the DSM should read this book...although it will likely only increase the issues you have with the DSM, so maybe you should skip it? 

But seriously, it is a good, fun, and quick read - I would suggest it for all!

Well - those are the books I have been reading thus far.  I am hoping to also read The Colonizer and the Colonized by Albert Memmi and In a Queer Time and Place by Judith Halberstam before classes start.  I also have about five more articles to read before I can start a new backlogged articles pile.  Once again, not sure this is the life of an academic (surely other people enjoy good reading), but I guess it doesn't hurt.  

And then there are all the amazing books my brother and mom got me for the holidays... #neverenoughtime (that's right - I hash tagged it).  

Houston Woods State Park (on a dreary day)

Well friends, it is that time in the semester.  You remember the time I am talking about, right?  It's the end of the semester and I am...surprisingly not uber-busy?  Wait - that's not how this is meant to play out, is it?


Or is it?  Best to not ask questions on this one...


Now that I am out of the proverbial woods (by and large, still a couple assignments to do), I decided to head into the literal woods with two of my wonderful friends, Kaeden and Maria. And of course Grrtrude was tagging along.  She wouldn't miss the mud for her life!  Below are some wonderful photos of a dreary grey afternoon walk we took.  While it may look unfun to y'all, remember that I am still basking in the glory of seeing trees, leaves, moss, and rain.  I mean, the Southwest was nice and all, but this nature is just wonderful!

look at all this glorious moss!

lead the way, little g!

these little things were fun - just hanging out on the side of trees....

here is a closeup of one - it looks like a disc stuck in the trunk

this was really cool - the thing on the left is the bark of the tree on the right!  the whole strip of bark was hanging by a vine and swinging lightly.  I loved seeing it's movement and wish I could have taken a video.  Drat - I just remembered I have a video option on my camera!!  Gah - next time...

closeup of the bark - i like the contrast with the woods through the hole in the bark

this pond was cool and looks so mysterious with this weather - i felt like i should have seen a pirate ship!  Yar matey!

but if no pirate ship was going to show itself, at least i saw this badass duck braving the weather solo-style

and i - i took the road less traveled.

the terror terrier strikes!

You wouldn't think that a dog this cute could something tragically vicious, would you?  But then again, you are forgetting that my sweet little Grrtrude, pictured to the left curled up napping below my desk in my studio as I type away, is a terror - oops, that's a terrier.  She is a great terrier.  Yup - a terrier, not a terror, that's the ticket (if you don't get that reference, please go back and watch old episodes of Saturday Night Live).  But even terrier's can do some pretty dastardly things sometimes...even terrier's as cute and charming as my blogstar Grrtrude.  


So I was surprised tonight when I came home and found one of Grrtrude's toys torn to shreds on the carpet (see image right).  Oh poor diablo, you had a good run, but sadly your time has come to an end.  I will have to work to bring the toy back to life (read: restuff and resew), but for now, Grrtrude is down a toy.  I think I get the message, and I will be spending most of the next few days at home doing work (after I run some errands of course).  Hopefully she won't tear other toys up before I get home from my errands tomorrow.  I mean for serious, G - these are your toys!

disappearings and findings

and the semester ain't done yet!

I have admittedly disappeared for the past month - such will happen when you are reading as much as I am.  Well, let me amend that statement: such will happen when you are as overly obsessive about the work you are doing while concurrently doing all the reading I am doing.  I  feel the need to own my agency in this cycle of disappearance and (re)emergence, as there are certainly people who seem to do a better job of staying surfaced throughout this thing called school.


Now, I know what you are thinking: boo-freakin'-hoo.  You made the choice to go back to school so build a bridge and get over it.  


I would not challenge that in the least and, luckily for you, this is not some sad story about how much work I have to do or how I am drowning in everything, blah blah blah.  This is certainly good news for you, as it means you can keep reading and not be subjected to another such narrative.  Nope - not here.  Just trying to provide some context for me disappearance (and seemingly lack of ability to figure out how to maintain some semblance of balance with this blog).  


The good news is that while I have been away, I have been invested in some really fascinating things...here are some highlighted favorites:

(1) I made me some homemade mustard!
You read that right: homemade mustard, friends.  From real mustard seed, local apple cider vinegar and a smidge of local honey to pull it all together.  The small taste I had was spicy goodness, but the real test will take place in the coming days, as the friends I gifted this treat to will let me know their thoughts.  Let's hope it scores as highly as the applesauce I gave them, which they loved!  If this canning stuff is something I continue to do, I may just need to invest in some labels and ribbon - I see future gifts for friends and family.  So far the applesauce and pickled carrots I have made this year are a hit, so if the mustard scores equally high I will have to give this some hard thought.  Or, really, I will just have to give in to my temptation to make locally sourced tasty treats that can be stored for a significant time.  Wow - when I word it like that it sounds so freakin' awesome - I really do a bad job of making my life sound exciting, but truly, I am jazzy-cool-fresh-fun.  I promise.  


(2) Books continue to be bought (and read)
Now that I seem to have come to some understanding about the population I want to focus on for my dissertation (not my actual topic, but the population), I have begun to search for some books that will help me in the long run.  My latest dynamite purchases, which I found at a used bookstore, were a Critical Race Theory reader and a book on LGBT policy implementation for school administrators.  Oh, and I got a fascinating book called Myths of Gender by Anne Fausto-Sterling.  That one should help me out, methinks.  Once again, probably not doing my life much justice, but remember this is the reason I came to this charming little blip on the map.  


(3) New music!!!!
New F+TM, new (to me) Fleet Foxes and Bright Eyes discography have been procured.  Suddenly, everything seems wonderful.  As if it wasn't before - but you get the idea of what I am saying.  New music always energizes me, and I have had to hold myself back from dancing on my way to campus, thereby looking (even more) like the local crazy.  I must say, this is still an area in which I am externally defined - and I am more than okay with that.  I like to say I know my limitations, and dancing is certainly one of those limitations.  Needless to say, good music is playing on the iPod as I walk, so I got that goin' for me...

a little blurry, but this lass is always on the move!

(4) Grrtrude gots herself a visit to the salon!
While she won't sit still enough to have her nails painted (before PETA supporters turn me in, please know I have NEVER, nor ever would, attempt to do this), she did get her nails trimmed along with all the hairs on her head and shaggy-arse body.  It was a long time coming (like, months upon months), but after the rough go of it she had awhile back with her paw, she deserves to get treating like the little princess she is.  

cutest. beard. ever!

Update: here are some photos of her grooming visit - a success, I would say!  She looks cute and is wiped out from the time spent there, which is a bonus.  This means I will get to leave for lunch with a friend sans guilt in a couple minutes!  Thanks, Grr - much appreciated!


As you can see, I still exist and will pop up from time to time.  Although I may want this to happen, I can't spend ALL my time reading, writing, and thinking about amazing things like Queer Theory.  Just silly amounts of time.  

going local*

*This post is admittedly on the more serious side, so I can appreciate if you are thrown for a loop or want to skip it.  Give it a try though - for me?  Thanks.  


I have been inspired recently by the Occupy Wall Street populist movement.  This, in conjunction with many of the conversations I have been having and personal reflection I have been doing (my walk to and from campus is over a mile, which gives me some time to think), has made me think a lot about where my money is kept and spent.  While I do not claim to be a great critical consumer, I have made some steps to be better, which I define as focusing on local economies of scale and spending money at companies that invest in the people and issues that are important to me.  For example, I am planning on joining the Moon Co-op when it finally opens its doors (after 9 years in the making) at the end of the month and have made contact with a local CSA, which I plan to join for the coming growing season (there is only one and it runs from May through October).  I share this not to say "look at me, I am so much better than you", but to share some of the choices I am making.  In addition, I am hoping that my stating these choices publicly (to the few of you who read this darn thing!) will help hold me accountable.  


But I digress...


This morning, literally not more than 20 minutes ago I just took the step of severing my ties with Bank of America, with whom I had been a customer for the last five years.  


This is the first step in my process of moving my money to a local credit union, which I hope to be finally complete by the end of this week.  The catalyst for this decision was BoA's decision to impose fees on those using their debit cards.  However, to say my decision was rooted in this is myopic and reductionist.  Ultimately, my decision has stemmed from the fact that I do not see the benefit of large banks for the majority of my fellow brothers and sisters.  We put what little money we have in them (reports show that median family incomes have shrunk since the recession, more people are in poverty than have been in the past 50 years despite the grossly overestimated poverty line, and income inequity is at an all-time high since the 1920's - oh, and here is an interesting graph for those visual learners amongst us) is being used to propel Wall Street and investments, a market which seems to be open to anyone who wants to invest (although as previously stated, people are trying to live hand-to-mouth and stave off bills, thus meaning they don't have money to invest), but is really there for folks who already have money, know the system, and want to make more money.  This is highlighted here, where it is articulated that "The top 1 percent also own 50 percent of all stocks and bonds.  The top 10 percent own over 90 percent of stocks and bonds."  Pardon me for saying so, but that is fucked up.  Also, remember that whole financial crisis?  Yeah, that was created by big banks and investment companies taking advantage of consumers (sub-prime mortgages) and dealing in shady investment practices.  No es bueno.  


Anyway, due to this, I am wanting to find ways to support my local community and think about ways in which my money can stay as close to home as possible so as to benefit the people who are working and struggling right here.  I get it - Oxford is a privileged community.  I also get that my analysis is certainly one view in a world with many.  I can appreciate the views that my friends who are not Marxist-Socialists have and want to respect their choices.  Furthermore, I want to clarify that no community is without its individuals struggling to make ends meet - even among the cobblestone in Oxford.  Local businesses are important to our communities and our collective sense of well-being.  Therefore, I see this move, and others like it that I plan to make/keep making as a way to put my money where my mouth is.  Ain't no bein' an armchair Socialist, no matter how pretty an analysis you have.  


This is not a value judgement on others - it is a personal choice.  
This is not a panacea - it is a step in the right direction.  


I understand I have the privilege to make these choices.
I understand I have the privilege to take these actions. 
I understand that the ways in which I privilege some may have the impact of hurting others.  


This is the best forward I see for myself in making sense of a world that is inequitable.  


I welcome feedback from others, especially counter-narratives and opposing ideas.  I want to learn more and think deeply on this issue.  Let's respectfully engage.  

poor baby grr...

Today was a rough one for Grrtrude...

We had a vet appointment to get a quick checkup on her left paw, which had a sore on it for the past two weeks.  During the checkup, which went well, I found out that she had an infection that was made worse by her licking it, which she had been doing.  It would scab over, she would lick it, it would get irritated, it would scab over...repeat.  This all meant that she needed to be fitted for one of those big collars and needs to wear it for about two weeks, at which point her toe should be all healed and no longer infected.  It is something about bacteria getting from her wound into her saliva and a cycle that keeps looping...Boo for my baby.  

She is also on some antibiotics and will need to go to a monthly cycle of flea and tick medicine until the hard freezes come due to some flea dirt found on her skin.  Seems like Grrtrude has had a bit of a tough welcome from the Mighty Midwest! 

Regardless of her difficulties, she is handling the collar with about as much grace as a princess can.  She is staying very close to me, especially when she bumps the collar on things (it spooks the crap out of her).  I am also doing some laundry and making sure to be extra gentle with her.  What a pair we must be: I am sick due to the rapid weather changes and she is in a silly looking collar.  Hopefully a visit with her Terrier friend Albus will help out some.  

Pictured below are the medicinal spoils of our trip to the vet - she is a bit of a mess, but we will get her fixed up in no time flat!

nothing like some puppy pill-poppin'

defeated dog...

i get things done on friday

Case in point: my new license plates!  For those who have been privy to these conversations with me, getting new plates in Ohio is a process, especially for folks who, like me, still have a lien out on their cars.  However, my specialty plates came in the mail last week and, after a quick stop at Auto Zone to get a mounting bracket for my front plate (no need for front plates in AZ), I was able to outfit Sampson the Scion with his new plates.  

Red Hawk Nation!

I also signed a lease extension today for the next year and a half (no signing bonus or fringe benefits - if only I were a pro athlete) and get Grrtrude all set up with her new vet.  She has a bit of a growth/infection on her left paw, so we also made an appointment for next week to get that looked at as well as do a routine checkup.  She doesn't seem to be bothered by it, so here is to hoping it is just a bite or infection and the swelling will go down.  

This weekend should be interesting - first Miami football game for me and then I will be attending the drag show put on by Spectrum, the undergrad LGBT group on campus.  Sunday will then see me traveling up to Ball State for a couple sessions for their fraternity and sorority students!  Looking forward to it all!  Now if only I could shake the beginning stages of a cold I seem to be exhibiting...

6th week here we come!

Hot dang - it has been over one month since my last blog post!  Time sure does fly when you are in a doc program...

oh my living room looks so wonderful now!  calling all people interested in sleepovers - i now have a couch!

This weekend I took some much needed time to relax and actually got quite a few things accomplished.  For starters, I finally got a couch.  Yup - that's me over there playing in the Big Kid Section now.  Glad to have arrived, albeit a touch late.  At least I can now use my living room area.  Bonus: the dog already loves the couch.  

nobody puts BetCi in the corner

Double bonus, I have an indoor trainer for BetCi.  Now cycling purists out there will roll their eyes.  I did too for a long time - and then I moved to Ohio.  Shit gets cold here.  The model I got is really nice, not too loud, and is a snap to get the bike on and off.  This means I can still ride outside but also just hop on the machine indoors for a quick ride before work or class.  It is a nice ride too - I took the inaugural one this afternoon!  I am hoping this will keep me fit during the cold months while not driving me insane due to never actually "going anywhere"...the stationary thing sorta kills me and makes me feel bored, but at least I got my iPod.  Check back in with me in a couple months to see if I have gone nutso from riding it yet...

lovely lovely baker's rack

I also finally got a baker's rack as a second bookshelf and am awaiting a few books from Amazon to help fill them up.  No, I am not just spending willy-nilly...these are books for class and that will ultimately help me write my dissertation.  You know, that thing that helps me get outta here and find that pesky thing they call a job.  Yeah, that thing.  So they are necessary.  Or so I have told myself.  Either way, they will look good on the new shelving unit.  

homemade applesauce looooove

The last thing of note is about apples.  Yup - apples.  For those of you who live/lived in the Northeast at some point in your life, you will know that fall is synonymous with apple picking.  Well, for the past however-many-years-I-can-remember, I have not been able to go.  Even when I worked at Dartmouth I neglected to go (probably due to coaching soccer most weekends).  Well, last weekend when I was up in Cleveland visiting my friend Hilary and her family, we all went apple picking, and 9.5 pounds of MacIntosh later, I was well stocked.  I woke up this morning to make homemade applesauce, pumpkin spice bread, slow-cooker vegetarian chili, and apple pie!  Okay, a friend really made the apple pie, but I totally supplied the apples...and helped peel a few apples after a minor peeling injury requiring the last Scooby Doo Band-Aid in the house (Winnie the Pooh Band-Aids soon replaced them).  


In honor of my house looking so gosh-darn-good, I figured I would also post some updated pics from around the house.  I have already shown some of these fun features, but have taken some additional photos, as they look more "lived in" now.  Enjoy!

someone shared with me they saw this idea on some fun blog...looks like i am ahead of the curve!!

bookcase with books and fun magazine holders for articles on the bottom...lots more of those to fill over the years... 

finally i have some jars for the kitchen...

...and a full-length mirror for the bedroom.  I was outbid for an amazing 6x8 foot antique mirror, but it would have been a beast to get, so this one will do juuuuust fine

the best book store in the world

Those who know me (which is really all those who are following this blog) understand what a excitement book are to me.  And when I say excitement, I mean real excitement.  Just to put things in perspective here are some (slightly embarrassing yet highly true) facts about my obsession with books:


(1) I have wanted built-in bookshelves ever since I was in high school (I kid you not), 
(2) I cannot go into a book store without walking out with at least one book*, 
(3) if I do not get a book, I feel a sense of loss, and
(4) time evaporates for me when I am in a book store.  

view from the outside - what a great store!

Good thing the Ohio Book Store is just a quick hop, skip, and a jump away in scenic downtown Cincinnati!


I went down to Cincy last Wednesday to help my friend Molly move some stuff into her new apartment and aside from the great Vietnamese food we had near the campus of the University of Cincinnati and moving, we spent a good chunk of time in the store.  As I walked in, the owner (or who I perceived to be the owner) was sitting by the door and heard me say the following: "next time I come here I am going to bring a sleeping bag and just camp out."  He chuckled.  


I don't think he knew I was serious.  


This store is four floors of books stacked high to the ceilings (along with a basement where they do their book binding) - there are so many stories in these walls (literally and figuratively) that it is almost overwhelming.  In addition, the store apparently does a bang-up job with book binding.  I didn't check out their book binding set up, which was on the bottom floor, but I saw most everything else.  Here are some images from my trip, because yeah - I am that kid who brings his camera to a book store and snaps a few interesting photos.  For the record, this also is one of my first forays into retooling some of my pictures (beyond just doing black & white).  I don't have a crazy computer program or anything, so it isn't amazingly special.  I have been told I need to get a Flickr site so I can manipulate more, so perhaps I will look into that.  But for now, enjoy the Ohio Book Store through my eyes (and lens).  

the store upon entering - i have arrived at my mecca

these low bookcases are everywhere with gobs of books placed ever so delicately on them - it is very charming indeed

this glass case had some really impressive things in there, although they were very expensive.  the best thing i saw was a collection of gi cartoons that was called "male call."  i wanted it so badly, but given the fact that it was behind a locked glass case, i decided to spare myself the anguish of knowing it was out of my price range.  

i had no idea they even printed stuff like this - i thought my friends dani and rico would get a kick out of the photo though... 

this is the third floor of the store - it is four floors altogether.  the windows at the front of the store allow a beautiful light to pour in and the old metal shelves give the whole floor this old archival feel.  i kept walking through aisles just running my hands along books and magazines - the tactile sense just made the store seem more vibrant and amazing.

i didn't get up on one of these ladders...yet.  but i thought the joint and old school sliding system was awesome.  it reminded me of charlie and the chocolate factory when the chocolate shop owner is singing and sliding on his ladder throwing candy to the kids.  only instead of candy to rot your teeth, this store has candy to enhance your mind...or something.  and then i found $5...

*for those interested, I got two books while at the store - one was a book on Piaget and knowledge, which will be helpful when doing my doctoral work (not to mention my favorite philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre, had a huge thing for Piaget's work) and a book called The Subversion of Politices: European Autonomous Social Movements and the Decolonization of Everyday Life.  This will certainly come in handy when I am doing my scholar activist work!

eating local

In an attempt to honor the last words spoken to me by my dear friend Kevin before I left Tucson, I have been attempting to eat a bit more locally since coming to Oxford.  Well, that and the health benefits really.  And the fact that it tastes better...and it allows me to walk my talk about local economies and supporting local business and agriculture.  But you know, it all blends together.  

it was so good i didn't get a picture before taking a bite!

Tonight I had an amazing dinner which was a chicken breast (no hormones, antibiotic free, free range chicken from a farm in Oxford) with rosemary (grown in a pot on a stoop in Cincinnati) on a bed of baby spinach (organic) topped with an eggplant ragu (organic eggplant from local farmer's market and organic sauce).  Needless to say, I am making good on those words, Kevin (and enjoying every last bite of it!).  

side view - just delicious!

I am hoping to get some new things this coming week from Findlay Market in Cincy as well as the Oxford Farmer's Market.  I am hoping to make my own pasta sauce (it has been too long and is far too easy to make) and will also need to head to the store to get fixin's to make homemade bread.  It looks like the cooking inspiration is returning to me!


Oh, and I also made some caramelized onions with the chippolini onions I got from the Oxford Farmers Market too (with a touch of 2007 Mondavi Chardonnay).  I am thinking I will get a chicken sandwich in there at some point with the onions, but I may be tempted to throw them into an omelette tomorrow morning as well.  


It feels nice to be creative in the kitchen again.  It is a very easy sign that I am feeling happy and comfortable in my new surroundings, which is a nice cue.  I have to cook something for the picnic I have on Sunday (I am making a side dish for the program picnic), so I am hoping something will hit me at Findlay or the Farmer's Market and I will get a flash of brilliance in the kitchen.  


Until then, keep salivating (and know one can always visit Oxford - I hear it is just gorgeous in the fall).  

the past week in pictures

After many comments from certain individuals (here's looking at you, brotha), I have posted some images from the last week in the life of me.  I decided to forego the "before" pictures (mainly because I took them hastily before heading out to IKEA), but you will get a bit of a feel of my house.  I am not near done with it, but I have an amazing start, thanks to Mom and Molly (thanks!).  The pictures are out of order, but the captions will help understand what they are of...enjoy!

this is from a restaurant called Melt in Northside (Cincinnati) where the cards for your order are different characters.  we got dwayne wayne*, and the table next to us had jordi from star trek.  i believe i also heard someone calling dibs on certain characters when waiting in line.  (*note: thanks to Kathy on the correction here - I mistook him for urkle, as did my friend...shame on us for not knowing our 80's television shows better)  

this was the ratatouille sandwich - it was amazing!  just a mess of veggies, cheese and capers (which I am convinced made the sandwich as good as it was!)

here be Shake It Records where I purchased some records for my still-to-be-delivered record player.  gotta love those local economies - support local business!

the first noshy treat I made in the new digs - tomato, basil (organic from a farm 18 miles away), mozzarella, balsamic, olive oil, and olives.  y-u-m!

I have a mess of books - good thing I have a personal librarian to help sort through the madness.  and yes, I have too many.  there is no doubt that I need another bookcase...the first of many to be purchased, I am sure.  

alternative angle with BetCi in the background (and Grrtrude in the foreground).

first meal with my new table (vintage gray formica and chrome table for $57.50 in town) and chairs (beautiful 1950's red chairs with chrome legs).

close up of the meal, which was black bean burgers with sauteed green beans on the side.  and of course there was avocado and siracha involved.  

y'all know my love obsession with graffiti, and here is some great art in brighton, which is a neighborhood in Cincy that my friend Molly is moving to.  this is right around the corner from her new flat as a matter of fact.  

it just keeps going, too...so nice to see some beautiful art on the street.

u-turn was an art gallery that Molly helped run, but has since ended.  this picture came out pretty decent, I think.  sad I didn't get to see the gallery when it was up and running, but glad to be able to meet some of the collaborators a couple days ago before they left town for greener pastures (figuratively speaking, that is).  

there is still a bit of work left to do on this bookcase, but it is starting to look amazing!  thanks Molls!  and yes, my dog finds her way into almost every picture!

details on the chairs I bought, which I am absolutely in love with.  

my table in action - je t'aime

here is a look into my writers studio.  The door is from my bedroom, but I thought it would make a nice bulletin board.  I may even see if I can paint some of the panels with chalkboard paint.

alternate view of the studio space (with dog)

my favorite thing about the desk I got is the glass top and the fact that there is a space between the glass and the bottom of the desk.  It makes for a really neat spot to put things and has a really cool looking effect.  Oh, and go Liverpool!

bookcase in the office - I love me some built in shelves...if only there were more built in though.  

Grandma and Grandpa are kickin' it by the front door until they get hung.  I just love seeing them everyday.  

I couldn't resist getting this piece at IKEA.  I hung it by the door for the dog leash - so fun!

yes, I know - it looks and feels like I am camping in my bedroom due to the wood paneling.  But seriously, it is really warm and comfortable.  Oh, and there is my bed and bedding, which adds some brightness to the room.  

alternate view of the bedroom with the bookcase I have in there (also full) and neat IKEA lamp.  

I found this amazing poster of wine regions in France for $2 in a St. Vincent de Pauls in Cincy - amazing purchase!

look at all those cute ties curled up and waiting to be worn!  The one on the right is a new purchase - it is a skinny knit tie.  Maybe I will be a Mad Men character for halloween.  

kitsch on a bookcase only enhances...

...and this is just further proof of that fact.  

Well, there you go Adam et al.  These are the places I have been, food I have eaten, and ways in which I have set up my house (thus far).  Classes will begin next week (eek!), so stay tuned for more updates on that front.  Unfortunately posts may get a bit less frequent, but I will do my best to keep folks updated on all things Midwest Livin'!