Still waiting to hear anything about my comps. My advisor said he should have something this week. We’ll see.

My focus has shifted to my last class, Shakespeare’s History Plays. I’m woefully behind. Massive catching up session tonight after work. Test tomorrow. Thesis due in that class tomorrow. Major writing test next week that has a LOT of pre-writing attached to it. FOCUS.

FOCUS.

FOCUS.

There are other things that are being juggled, of course.

Listen To Your Mother: OKC is getting some momentum. We’re approaching our deadline for submissions. We’ve had a good amount, though I haven’t read all of them yet. I know a few more are making their way to the dropbox. Julie, Heather and I will meet in a few weeks to choose who we’ll see in person.

Sponsorship is beginning. I’ve had two out of two say yes thus far! It’s the most amazing sense of relief, knowing that someone out there wants to help financially, and wants to support this venture.

Taxes are looming. All things financial. I’m determined not to file an extension this year. Time to buckle down and get it done.

Did you watch the documentary on the women’s movement that aired on PBS last night? MAKERS, it was called. Seriously. Try to find it again. Anywhere. It was really well done. I typed Mark at the beginning, and he wound up watching it too. We had a lengthy discussion about the progression of the movement, and where it stands today. It’s pretty awesome to have someone in you life on the same page as you are when it comes to equal rights for everyone. Just feels so good.

Gulping coffee, getting ready to head into the sunshine, run errands and bang some hair. It’s going to be a great day, ya’ll!

 

 

Last night, my PseudoSis3 got engaged!!!

It was a day full of intricately planned and produced events, all leading up to Maggie arriving at the Wormy Dog downtown (where she and Chris met) to be surprised by a gathering of ohhhh about 30 of her closest friends and family, several state lines had been crossed by some to surprise her. Chris was magnificent. Mag. Nif. Ah. Cent. He had arranged for her to have a mani/pedi, to have time to change clothes and get ready, to be surrounded by her family and friends, to have a round of shots waiting, for his brother and best friend to deliver her the final clues…and when he got down on one knee in front of the doors, as all of us were crowded around trying to see but not to barge into their moment…more than one of us (ahem…*Hailey) burst into tears. The full blown ugly cry happened right there at the i.d. checking stand at a bar that none of us have ever been to so early, so sober.

The party culminated in Norman, at the groom-to-be- parent’s house. I went and got Mark and we went over for  a little bit. Even though I had the morning off today, he has been fighting off the cold that I so generously gave to him so we didn’t stay long. But standing in the middle of the room, looking at all of these people gathered to celebrate love, I looked at him and said, “you’ve met a lot of groups in my life. . . but none are more true, more family than this group.”

And it’s true. I do have a blessed lot of loving people in my life that I love dearly. Some come, some go, some change, as is the normal. Some you have to let go, give space, Some return, some do not. That’s what it’s all about, right? But…this group is steadfast.  This group is family. We are there for births, for broken hearts, for sporting events and supporting events. This isn’t a group that must be together all the time, we ebb and we flow as relationships do. We have our Christmas Adam tradition that we’ve come to really look forward to and sometimes that’s enough. A text, a reaching out, a random 2am “I JUST READ THE BEST BOOK”…we stay connected.

I love too, the way they have embraced Mark into the family. No reservations. All in. Because that’s what we do and how we do it. No one is perfect here, we’ve all got our scratches, but the love we have for each other?

That is perfect.

Maggie Wynn is getting married to a wonderful man.

Chris Schemmer is getting married to a wonderful (if not slightly touched) family.

Happily Ever After is a given.

 

 

On Tuesday, after really only 3 or 4 hours of sleep, I wrote from 8:45am until 3:00pm, with only a few bathroom breaks. I will find out next week, about the pass/fail of the comps. Until then, I feel solid about it…but won’t feel GOOD until it’s real.

I got home from a long day at work last night to find a package on my stoop. The Cooks Illustrated New Best Recipes had been delivered from my friends Brad and Lisa to celebrate getting through the comps. Anyone that knows me, or my mother, or the fact that I am my mother in many aspects, knows that I love a cookbook. I woke up during our ThunderSleetSnow storm this morning and made some hot tea and perused it. I’m about to pick it up again and read some more. I love it. It’s heavy and thick and full of information and recipes. I’m so thankful for these friends. They are really the original reason that Mark and I met, you know. It was at Brad’s birthday party.

Speaking of Mark…today is his birthday. He’s not a bit celebration type, and I respect that…to an extent. I’m excited to see him tonight and give him his present. I’m excited to celebrate his day. I’m so thankful he was born. So thankful! I’ll drive down this evening after work and the roads should be fine so we’ll go to dinner somewhere and just have a nice evening together. Our fun time will be this weekend. I’ve got plans. Oh yes I do.

I hope you, wherever you are, if you’re having a snow day, or a sleet day, or a slush day…I hope it’s a great day.

I’m snuggling in with my cookbook and some Henry V before class this afternoon.

Enjoy, ya’ll!

Today I’m working on essays.

1000 word essays about specific topics that could be on tomorrow’s test.

Yesterday I cleaned out my car, deep cleaned, taking full advantage of the near 70 degree weather.

This lead to the stacks and stacks of cd’s in my living room.

I think it’s funny the people that have commented “You sure are going to a lot of concerts since you met Mark” or “you and Trisha sure do go to concerts all the time.”

From this stack of cd’s…some circa several Columbia House subscriptions…and the beat up book that I remember getting the summer of ’97

I’d say I’ve been doing this music thing a long time.

This is my project today.

After a set amount of study time (I’m setting the timer on my phone) I get to upload a few more cd’s into the iTunes. I’ll keep some of the cd’s. My car doesn’t play fancy iphone music nor is it satellite radio accessible. So it’s either cd’s or OKC radio. (gag)

But for the future, when I CAN play my music from the iTunes to the car? I’ll be set.

I’ll be here all day, save for a trip to the UPS Store and maybe to get some milk at the grocery. Tomorrow is the big test day. I’m going to be ready.

I woke up yesterday in a gorgeous room on the top floor of the La Fonda in magical Santa Fe, New Mexico. This morning, it was back in my bed, with cats warming my feet. It was a long day on the road. Considerably less talking. Neither one of us wanted to leave.

The trip out was fun, it always is isn’t it?

The conference was interesting. I sat in on some good panels. I saw my friend present his paper. The more I was exposed to the conference/academic life…the less I loved it. I gave my paper and while I do think it was fine, I don’t think the content was up to par with my other panelists. I don’t think my paper was as academically advanced as the others. I didn’t use “discursive practice” or “ideology” enough in my paper.

I sat in on a panel about finding work with your upper level degree outside of the classroom. Administration. Museums. Entertainment. Non-profit organizations. That was interesting. Truly. Also, that the job market is so bloody and fierce…it’s good to have outside thoughts because teaching gigs are scarce.

I think the most interesting revelation was an internal one. The more I sat and listened and watched my surroundings, the more I thought, “I hate this part. I hate it. I have no interest in research and publishing and tenure tracking. I don’t care about this stuff. This part of the ph.d/professoring? Screw that. I know I’m supposed to care…but I don’t. Not. Even. A. Little. Bit.”

So the question then becomes what DO I care about?

I’ll let you know.

But I got one more under my belt. Another line on my CV. An opportunity for publication (though I really doubt my paper is worthy of publishing.) Done. Check. Done. Experience and lessons learned.

We headed to Santa Fe, via highway 14. Scenic byway. It was gorgeous. Gor.GEOUS.

I always had heard about how lovely it is there, so going for my first trip with Mark was something I was really excited about. Really. Excited. Plus we were going to listen to Peter Mulvey sing that night and what could be a better way to end our trip?

It was a fun night. No stress about school or conferencing. Just us. Our valentine night. Dinner and live music in the mountains. A stunning, charming, romantic room at the top of the hotel. Magic.

The next morning was good, we saw the magic staircase at the Loretto Chapel. I was going to shop a bit, buy some jewelry, or something but I just wasn’t feeling it. We were tired. We knew we had 8+ hours on the road staring us in the face. We knew we had to leave. We hit the Trader Joe’s and the REI on our way out of town which was fun. Stocked up on beer and wine, soup and brownie mix. Walked around the rail yard a bit but then it was time. Ugh.

The drive home was quiet and a touch cranky, but finally we pulled into my drive at 10 ish and got the car unloaded. Mark headed home and I loved on the cats and collapsed.

Today is for recovering and studying. I take my comps on Tuesday. I’ve got a plan of study. I’m going to cave myself in the house until then. This test is the thing that determines my graduation. So. Kind of a big damned deal. Wish me luck.

I’ll see you on the other side.

New Mexico is just…just one of my favorite places.

We’ve been in Albuquerque since Wednesday. We’ve met up with my school buddy, sat through his panel and presentation, walked around downtown and found a little burger place yesterday, went to Old Town last night and while most all of the shops were closed, our dinner at High Noon Saloon was superb.

This morning we’re meeting Colleen at the Frontier Restaurant for some delicious New Mexico green chile breakfast. This late morning, I’m giving my paper and sitting in on another panel or two. This afternoon we pack it all up, and head North to Santa Fe.

We kept forgetting yesterday was Valentine’s. My valentine got us Peter Mulvey tickets and a room at the La Fonda for tonight. I’m so excited!

I will tell ya, I think I either have an ear infection or this building is moving. I can get dizzy and weird at the drop of a hat this week. Altitude. Different climate. It’s all good…but damn I don’t do dizzy well. I broke my Lenten vow yesterday when I grabbed a cold Sprite to help keep me from throwing up while I was getting ready. Blergh. I’ll start again today.

It’s time for breakfast. Gotta go meet my girl and buy some chile to bring home! Then I’ve gotta come back and act real real smart and stuff.

Have a lovely Friday, ya’ll!

We’re about to head to New Mexico for the rest of the week, I’m presenting a paper at the Pop Culture/American Culture Association Conference in Albuquerque on Friday. This is for all intents and purposes my first real conference, so I’m excited. I’m a little nervous about presenting. I need to chop down my paper a little. This semester isn’t conducive to a lot of professor input, so I feel a little like I’m swimming without arms. Whatever. It’ll be ok.

Did I tell you that after much gnashing of the teeth and pulling of the hair, both my advisor and I decided I need to take the comprehensive exams instead of writing a thesis. It’s a three question test, administered from 9am until 4pm, 1000 word answers each…all should be fine.

The test is a week from today.

I’ll be taking books and notes and whatnot to study/re-read during this “vacation.” We can just hope everything falls into place, that my brain, this brain I’m so trusting, will not fail me and that I can just get through it.

Just. Get. Through. It.

Meanwhile this week there is much to be excited about.

Ten things, to be exact.

 

1) Road Trip! This isn’t my first trip in the car with Mark. We drove to Arkansas to my family for Christmas. But this IS the first trip where it’s just us, our timeline, our plans. Other than the winter storm that is due to pound our route all day today, it should be fine.

2) New Places! I’ve never been to Albuquerque. All I know is what I’ve seen on Breaking Bad!

3) New Places II! We’re leaving Friday afternoon and heading up to Santa Fe for a  romantic night at the La Fonda, and some great live music from Peter Mulvey.  I’m also hoping that in our walk about to stop into the Georgia O’Keefe museum.  But if not this trip, then for sure the next one.

4) New Faces! Well…not NEW per se..but I do get to see Colleen, and introduce her to Mark. She of the Taos Magic Trip this summer. I’m so excited to see her!

5) Valentines Day in Old Town! Colleen was darling enough to figure out where would be a great place to have dinner on Valentine’s night. She’s made us a reservation at this delicious looking place. I’ve scoured the menu more than five times. So. Excited. 

6) Conference-y things! The dude that MADE UP the language used on Game of Thrones is a keynote speaker. That. Is. His. Job. I’m all in.

7) More conference-y things. There is a panel about using your Masters degree for things other than professing. This interests me.

8) New Mexico Chile! Red chile! Green chile! I want it all! I’ll be stocking up my pantry for delicious dishes to make when we get home.  I will also be bringing back some deliciously hot tastes for Michael. All good, spicy, things!

9) Two Buck Chuck! We’ll hit the Trader Joes to restock our wine supply.

10) Spending time away with Mark. I know we have a lot going on. He’ll be working from the hotel room ensuring that the entire OU server doesn’t collapse. I’ll be working with my study buddy, prepping to present, networking and conferencing. . . but it will just be us. After the last two weeks of emotional brutality, I’m looking forward to this part most of all.

 

Happy Fat Tuesday, ya’ll. If you haven’t had your crawfish, and gumbo and King cake yet, I hope it’s in your schedule today! We’re all transfixed by the weather and the fat snowflakes falling and thankful for the moisture to counteract this horrible drought. Tomorrow…Lent begins.

Spring is coming…

After a side visit with another professor yesterday, it became clear that this thesis isn’t going to be ready to defend by mid-April in order to graduate in the Spring. I’ve come to be (mostly) okay with that.

Right now, I’m waiting on reply emails from two of my committee members to see if they will help me do this in the first block of the Summer. If not, I can take the comps this summer. It’s a lot of hoops, a lot of jumping.

Yes. Yes I would rather it all gone the way I’d planned.

Yes. Yes I would love to really be finished this Spring and not have this hanging over me.

Yes. Yes if I do begin a doctorate program in the Fall, then this must be finished.

But here’s the thing. I’ll get this finished. I’ll move forward with my plan. And while timing might be different, everything might be different, even my reasons for beginning this journey in the first place might be different…It will all work out.

I have a good job. A really great clientele and the belief that I can succeed in anything I want to. (except golf. because…blech. what’s the point?)

Bill said it better than I ever could…his email came during a night of stressed sleep, and crazy abandonment dreams…his words always bring clarity.

“Try to enjoy the journey without getting all futzed up about the destination and when you’re going to get there. Lavish in the side trips. You’ll get there eventually, wherever THERE is . . . or not . . . but either way it will be OK if you accept it as part of life’s ebb and flow.”

 

 

Team LTYM:OKC met yesterday and boy howdy did we get some things crossed off of our list! It feels SO GOOD to be making such progress. We opened for submissions last weekend and have already received several. We got our sponsorship tiers set up. We made some decisions about printing, business cards, ticket sales, day of event details. Things are really coming together. I can’t wait to start hitting the pavement and asking for money to support this show! Next on our list is to start working the PR angle. Time to call radio stations, tv stations, morning shows…time to begin beating the drum outside of social networking. Julie and Heather are just the best team members. They dive in, brainstorm, make notes, make files, ask questions, and more than anything we are laughing and sharing and building connections within ourselves. We three have the same desire for our show and that is to give voice to the stories that we know are out there in our state.

It’s exciting stuff, ya’ll.

The weekend was a good one, coming off of such a dark, long week.

Mark and I did some brainstorming on LTYM details. It’s so nice to have someone in your corner that comes with a skill set that so perfectly matches up with yours and fills in the gaps, providing what’s needed.

He designed and printed out our LTYM:OKC business cards last night. He’s helping set up our ticket sales system, as well as designing and printing our sponsor sheets.

That’s a good man right there. A real good man.

I don’t take it for granted. Not one single second of it.

Because of that, the relief I feel in trusting those tasks to be taken care of, I’m really clear headed going into this week. I’m doing some normal household tasks this morning, and spending the rest of the day on homework. Usually I feel like I’m running behind, feeling like I have only half-assed checked things off of the list that is always mocking me.

Today I feel good. I feel productive.

Teamwork is a wonderful thing!