Everybody Loves a Joke, But No One Likes a Fool
Welp, I didn't get into Intermediate Fiction Writing. Again. I can't say I'm terribly surprised, but I can't help but feel disappointed anyhow. It was stiff competition as usual and everybody seemed really cool (aside from this one really REALLY weeaboo kid who was, as Gamble Rogers once put it, "flat eat up with the dumbass"). Still, three times and I have to wonder if this is becoming a pointless endeavor...not getting that email just felt so condemnatory. I guess I'll take Mike's suggestion from last time and send Sanders-Self an inquiring note, because there's no sense being caught in a loop of desiring and needing critique to improve but being rejected for the privilege of that critique because I'm not good enough. I know she's busy, but a few pointers about what I'm doing wrong would be better than nothing. Then maybe I can rise to the standard of being worthy of critique.
(For anyone curious, this is the story I submitted as my application: "And I Think It's Gonna Be a Long, Long Time". Maybe she just doesn't like Elton John? Any comments/criticism on that would be appreciated; Mike told me it wasn't my strongest work when he read an in-progress draft of it, but couldn't really tell me why, so I'd like to know what y'all think if anybody has the time or inclination.)
Okay, that got a little whiney, I admit. Otherwise things have been going well. I promise. I got a parking permit without altogether too much trouble (although they went and gave me an R so I have to park out in hell's bells before getting to class), and Nygaard's Faust in Translation class is really promising. So far the lectures have been quite history-heavy, but it's all interesting and all builds up to the evolution of German literature and the times in which Goethe grew up and what influenced his writing. So: whee.
Portuguese is kind of scary because there are only thirteen or fourteen other students in the class and they all speak the language way better than I do. I had a little attack of nerves on Monday about speaking in front of the class--I can write, I think, fairly fluently, but when it comes to talking my brain just shuts down and I stammer and sound generally doltish. (Which sort of happens in any language, which may be the problem.) But we have private meetings with Ana this week so I should, in my broken and slow way, try to talk with her about it, because shyness and fear of making mistakes do no one any favors when it comes to learning a language and I truly want to overcome this block.
"Latino Expressions in the US," aka Lit 80B, is pretty standard as a lower-div lit course so far. My copy of our current novel has, alas, not arrived yet, so I'm stuck fudging it during lecture until Thriftbooks ships the damn thing. But the reading list is kinda neat, and includes Junot Díaz, which is always a plus.
On the workforce front, I haven't heard back from anybody, which I suppose is also not too surprising, considering my total lack of experience. Just gotta keep trying, I guess. Jessica has an interview with Toys 'R' Us tomorrow, which is totally sweet. She can hook us up with her Barbie discount or whatevs.
Not really hungry, but I should go throw together something for dinner. Tchau.
(For anyone curious, this is the story I submitted as my application: "And I Think It's Gonna Be a Long, Long Time". Maybe she just doesn't like Elton John? Any comments/criticism on that would be appreciated; Mike told me it wasn't my strongest work when he read an in-progress draft of it, but couldn't really tell me why, so I'd like to know what y'all think if anybody has the time or inclination.)
Okay, that got a little whiney, I admit. Otherwise things have been going well. I promise. I got a parking permit without altogether too much trouble (although they went and gave me an R so I have to park out in hell's bells before getting to class), and Nygaard's Faust in Translation class is really promising. So far the lectures have been quite history-heavy, but it's all interesting and all builds up to the evolution of German literature and the times in which Goethe grew up and what influenced his writing. So: whee.
Portuguese is kind of scary because there are only thirteen or fourteen other students in the class and they all speak the language way better than I do. I had a little attack of nerves on Monday about speaking in front of the class--I can write, I think, fairly fluently, but when it comes to talking my brain just shuts down and I stammer and sound generally doltish. (Which sort of happens in any language, which may be the problem.) But we have private meetings with Ana this week so I should, in my broken and slow way, try to talk with her about it, because shyness and fear of making mistakes do no one any favors when it comes to learning a language and I truly want to overcome this block.
"Latino Expressions in the US," aka Lit 80B, is pretty standard as a lower-div lit course so far. My copy of our current novel has, alas, not arrived yet, so I'm stuck fudging it during lecture until Thriftbooks ships the damn thing. But the reading list is kinda neat, and includes Junot Díaz, which is always a plus.
On the workforce front, I haven't heard back from anybody, which I suppose is also not too surprising, considering my total lack of experience. Just gotta keep trying, I guess. Jessica has an interview with Toys 'R' Us tomorrow, which is totally sweet. She can hook us up with her Barbie discount or whatevs.
Not really hungry, but I should go throw together something for dinner. Tchau.