A broken-down train couldn't even stave off the inevitable: a return to the office. This year and next I'm a postdoc and the particularities of my contract are such that I'm expected to keep pretty regular hours in the office. While I imagined that this arrangement might have suited me just fine, I struggle with it most of the time. I am, of course, more productive because of it -- how could you not be? -- but when it comes to thinking through new ideas, well, I just never do it that well at a desk. I like to walk and think. In graduate school, I did most of my thinking out in the woods with Arlo. Now I stare in the silence of my library office and try to rack my dull brain. I guess that I shouldn't complain.
At least today I get to think about my course for the Spring term. It's on American women's life-writing (mostly autobiographies, some letters, a couple journals, a graphic memoir, a handful of blogs, anything really). Yesterday I read a couple spirtual autobiographies from the late 18th century, and while I feel like I need to include at least one on the syllabus, I really have no idea what to say about them. I never know how to read revelation, especially when it's reported as literal, tangible fact. I feel compelled by such conviction but at sea when it comes to talking about it. Anyone know any texts that I simply have to include?
Sprout update: I laid off the brussel sprouts last night in favor of roasted beets. Ahh, the perfect pleasure of a sweet beet soaked in lemon and olive oil. Too bad the camera batteries died.
2 comments:
have never actually gotten through pilgrim at tinker creek but might be worth looking at. certainly spiritual.
Allison Bechtel's FUN HOME. Woolf would, of course, be marvelous, but alas she's a Brit. More soon.... x
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