December 4

The trick is to figure out which to ignore longest.

1964

I play Cassius in Julius Caesar Tuesday.

Tomorrow I go baby-sitting and I am going to study my lines! That cute student teacher will be there for our dress rehearsal Monday afternoon. I went Christmas shopping again today. I couldn’t, as usual, find anything for Mom.I did get a pair of nice slippers for Bob - I hope they fit! I got Handel’s “Messiah” in Stereo for Dad at Grand-Way. Tonight on “The Entertainers” I saw Chad Stewart and Jeremy Clyde . They’re not too cute, but oh what talent! They’re really good. They have a good future ahead of them, I bet!

Comment 2022

Every now in then, there’s a shift in my writing that signals that I am writing for posterity. Most of the time, my reader is me, and I am just recording thoughts events for the sake of remembering them. But that prediction about Chad and Jeremy, that is Jo hoping to look back decades later and say, “I caught this moment and immediately knew it it was significant”. Well, it wasn’t. Chad and Jeremy were modestly successful balladeers, bit players in the British Invasion. More folk and pop than rock, they went their separate ways in 1968. (Except for the usual British Invasion tours throughout the years.) So much for my pop culture crystal ball.

1977

Christmas, Christmas is coming! Oh boy! Presents to get for everyone! Rob Russell’s book for Mom. Maybe a telescope for David and another one for the nieces. I am making a turtle scrapbook book for Connie, although I am having trouble finding good turtle material.

Am working on my paper for Textile Evaluation. Such a stinking thing. I hate group projects. D lifted her part verbatim from technical articles, and K can’t write to save her life. This class has been an absolute disaster, a source of frustration and annoyance. But boy have I learned a lot of things NOT to do as a teacher!

1981

So far, so good. Yesterday I worked in fits and starts - no library work, no writing. I had to talk down a grad student who was anxious about her thesis defense. Then I had to deal with someone on her committee who was carrying on like a fool about the same thesis defense. He apparently sees it as an opportunity to show off his prowess by tearing her apart. Jerk. I’m working” on an article about dudes but irritated deep down inside that I’m not writing about anything new. I should hear about my various grant applications and articles soon. (In some cases this month.) More than anything I could use some encouragement. Having something accepted would be an excellent start.

I still need maternity clothes. Boy, that could get expensive. I’m trying not to overspend, but I do need clothing for work.

2008

I am at the Starbucks in Tenleytown. It’s an odd walkabout today. It’s built on an errand and I have not really done enough this week to feel leisurely. I have another half day walkabout planned for tomorrow. I am still sleepy, with no energy to do anything. I’ve been reading Andrew Jackson half-heartedly. It’s interesting , but I am just not fully engaged. So what to do? I do believe I’ll get back on the Metro and head home for a nap.

2017

Today is Monday.

I am empty of ambition. There are things to do, but I could ignore all of them and it would not matter. The trick is to figure out which to ignore longest.

Comment 2023

Five months into retirement and I was reduced to reminding myself what day it is.

2023

Today is Monday. Frank Zappa has been dead for 30 years.