A Post From the Other Side

One of my MAPH-mates really said it best in the title of his most recent blog post. It’s exactly how I feel right now.
So now my master’s thesis is done. Done. Done. People keep congratulating each other, “whew” and “thank God” and “we did it,” but it’s a little bittersweet. The school year is coming [...]

Read Full Post »

Eating For Two

Don't worry: the only thing I'm pregnant with is a thesis. It's been nine months in the making, though, and I'm nearing the final days before delivery. I've got to keep my strength up for the arduous process ahead of me.
It's often said that pregnant women crave pickles and ice cream (although I have it [...]

Read Full Post »

Confusion In Her Eyes That Says It All

Last night, I drowned my thesis sorrows in:

one IBC root beer
one-half of a medium shroom & spinach pizza
one hour of America's Next Top Model
three consecutive hours of Grey's Anatomy

Slightly hungover, but otherwise feeling much better today. Spent the afternoon confronting my thesis and attempting to organize and discipline the notions of immediacy, authenticity, wonderment, and [...]

Read Full Post »

And She’s Clinging to the Nearest Passerby

I just got official comments back on the rough draft of my essay. It includes things such as “this is in decent shape for a formal rough draft, but you have a frenzy of work ahead of you,” and “rewrite the entire first essay from scratch,” and “You’re in danger of making us chuckle” (not [...]

Read Full Post »

Is A Writer’s Block Something I Can Bang My Head On?

One thing I've learned about writing this year is that much of it is a science. Grammar plays a huge part in elegance and eloquence, and part of being a good writer is being able to tap into that during the revision process. But, of course, much of it remains subjective.
I just received comments on [...]

Read Full Post »

Easter in Zionsville

I really do love the irony of spending Easter in Zionsville. I arrived in Zionsville Friday night in the midst of a huge storm. I rather like the idea of big thunderstorms before Easter; it seems an appropriate way of announcing death and resurrection. And there is other Good News to announce: the rough draft [...]

Read Full Post »

Little History of Photography

One concept I am really struggling with as I finish my thesis is the idea of the “aura,” which was so named by literary critic Walter Benjamin. He is a beautiful writer, but I have it on good authority that the concept of the “aura” is one of the most difficult things he talks about. [...]

Read Full Post »

Through the Light Loupe, Part II

One of my creative nonfiction peers writes a lot about her family. I really admire that–I can't imagine writing about people who will almost certainly read what you've said about them. Can you even imagine David Sedaris' family, wondering and worrying that that one embarrassing thing they said at Thanksgiving dinner will find its way [...]

Read Full Post »

Through the Light Loupe, Part I

Condition-reporting is the task that must happen before a museum exhibit gets installed. It involves checking every object for tears, rips, paint chips, cracks, etc., and recording their location with a painstaking exactness. A tiny excerpt from my thesis:
Not many people enjoy condition-reporting, especially after the first few hours. It is painful. It makes your [...]

Read Full Post »

Slow Down Chicago

Breaking news: I have now left Hyde Park two times in two days.
I just got back from the Canasta show at Schuba's in Lakeview, which was good, especially for a Monday night. Smoking is now banned in the music room at Schuba's, and they sell ear plugs at the door. I am officially old enough [...]

Read Full Post »