Metaphors Gone Wild
It's update time... and while update time may lack the ostentatious production values and kitschy musical montages of Cookie Time, it poses no threat to diabetics.
Actually, update time should be chastised for its lack of punctuality. I had intended to submit another journal entry earlier in the week, but I've struggled to find the motivation to do so, not necessarily as a result of feeling disaffected, but rather as a result of being easily distracted. Because of the nature of the updates, and because chronological, linear progression becomes so blasé and tedious after awhile, I'll just put forth some noteworthy morsels in no particular order.
As anticipated, the formal Potluck Friday in celebration of Luci and D was a glorious and memorable affair; I should had acquired a monocle and top hat to punctuate the formal affair to its maximum potential, much like the Monopoly man. Interestingly, the week that Luci and D were here, I probably interacted with them less than I would during a conventional week, albeit the phenomenal nature of in-person interaction more than compensates for the lack of quantity. Fortunately, although I was highly intoxicated that Potluck Friday as a result of J's suspiciously potent beverage, I remember the entire event.
Speaking of Luci and D, I received the "save the date" card yesterday... it will be exciting not only to see them during their union, but I've never been on the East Coast before. Although slightly inappropriate for some, I was slightly disappointed that the picture on the card didn't feature any brain munching or similar fruitcake moments. Then again, there probably are hundreds of pictures featuring that already.
Athena and Saffron have been highly vocal recently, which I appreciate, although I wonder if it's just because they want attention and treats, or if they have a need which isn't being fulfilled. I'm assuming it's the former, as the only unpleasant condition they are currently enduring is the fact that their nails still aren't trimmed. I called Arkham Katie recently, but I have yet to hear back from her. I should call her again just to see how she's doing, along with a number of other friends with whom I have not spoken in the recent past. I've been a slacker with some people in terms of regular communication, but not to any tragic degree.
The week before last, my work schedule sucked, consisting of multiple days of lengthy work hours. I had two meetings, the second of which ended at 11:15 at night, which made my work day start at 7:30 and end at 11:15 -- fortunately, I had a break from 4:00 to 7:00, but it was still barely tolerable. At least the meetings were somewhat useful.
However, I convinced my supervisor at my campus job that I would be more efficient and effective with a slightly modified schedule, and she agreed to allow me to execute it for the month of February. Instead of a well-reasoned and diplomatic proposal, I really should had just gone up to the supervisor Kelly style and said this schedule rules... this schedule sucks! Oh well, next time, I suppose. Basically, I've eliminated some of the earliest hours in exchange for some hours I can do from home late at night when I should be sleeping but can't anyway because my body is incapable of sleeping any time before midnight. Ultimately, I'm working the same number of hours, but the flexibility makes it much more accommodating and tolerable. Plus, fewer hours with the catatonic campus coworkers and approximately the same number of hours with Kaliri... so I approve.
Speaking of the research job, there have been a few memorable interviews, for which the transcripts and ultimate analysis will be interesting... mainly because it might be challenging to use some of the content in a legitimate academic sense.
There was an independent higher-end escort that came in for an interview. I expected her to come alone, for purposes of confidentiality, but she instead came with two other women and went through the entire interview with them. Initially, I was surprised, but she later explained that she takes part of the money she makes from her clients and pays these other two women, who are considerably less attractive, to follow her around so that she's far more attractive by comparison, and thusly more desirable to potential clients. Not only do I have to applaud her for her zealous commitment to narcissism, but the fact that she's incorporated it into a viable business. It makes me wonder if I should get some unattractive friends... or at least lock up all the attractive people in a prison to eliminate the competition. Somehow, in my mind, such a prison would end up resembling this campy 80s music video.
Finally, an intellectual exercise in the dangers of when metaphors turn literal. There was a sex worker who came in yesterday for an interview. Normally most of them speak English, and for those that do not, the majority of the others either speak Spanish or Russian, both of which are covered amidst the coworkers. However, the one that came in yesterday was from Denmark. Fortunately, Kaliri, whose father is from Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark, speaks Danish (as well as English, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Greenlandic). So, we both conducted the interview, which isn't too uncommon except for her role as translator. Anyway, we get to asking about the nature of her work and she starts discussing her specialty... at which time there's a dramatic pause because Kaliri thinks that she's misheard the prostitute. After about five minutes of clarification, I'm informed that the sex worker heard the vagina referred to as a pink taco... and no taco is complete without hot sauce. So, she would fill herself with some cheese, lettuce, spiced meat, and of course, hot sauce. That is, until one day, one of her clients brought an extra hot hot sauce... which not only burned, but actually caused blisters and internal damage. So... her policy now is nothing more intense than Del Scorcho.
And so, on that pleasant note, I now must depart and return to being productive elsewhere.
Actually, update time should be chastised for its lack of punctuality. I had intended to submit another journal entry earlier in the week, but I've struggled to find the motivation to do so, not necessarily as a result of feeling disaffected, but rather as a result of being easily distracted. Because of the nature of the updates, and because chronological, linear progression becomes so blasé and tedious after awhile, I'll just put forth some noteworthy morsels in no particular order.
As anticipated, the formal Potluck Friday in celebration of Luci and D was a glorious and memorable affair; I should had acquired a monocle and top hat to punctuate the formal affair to its maximum potential, much like the Monopoly man. Interestingly, the week that Luci and D were here, I probably interacted with them less than I would during a conventional week, albeit the phenomenal nature of in-person interaction more than compensates for the lack of quantity. Fortunately, although I was highly intoxicated that Potluck Friday as a result of J's suspiciously potent beverage, I remember the entire event.
Speaking of Luci and D, I received the "save the date" card yesterday... it will be exciting not only to see them during their union, but I've never been on the East Coast before. Although slightly inappropriate for some, I was slightly disappointed that the picture on the card didn't feature any brain munching or similar fruitcake moments. Then again, there probably are hundreds of pictures featuring that already.
Athena and Saffron have been highly vocal recently, which I appreciate, although I wonder if it's just because they want attention and treats, or if they have a need which isn't being fulfilled. I'm assuming it's the former, as the only unpleasant condition they are currently enduring is the fact that their nails still aren't trimmed. I called Arkham Katie recently, but I have yet to hear back from her. I should call her again just to see how she's doing, along with a number of other friends with whom I have not spoken in the recent past. I've been a slacker with some people in terms of regular communication, but not to any tragic degree.
The week before last, my work schedule sucked, consisting of multiple days of lengthy work hours. I had two meetings, the second of which ended at 11:15 at night, which made my work day start at 7:30 and end at 11:15 -- fortunately, I had a break from 4:00 to 7:00, but it was still barely tolerable. At least the meetings were somewhat useful.
However, I convinced my supervisor at my campus job that I would be more efficient and effective with a slightly modified schedule, and she agreed to allow me to execute it for the month of February. Instead of a well-reasoned and diplomatic proposal, I really should had just gone up to the supervisor Kelly style and said this schedule rules... this schedule sucks! Oh well, next time, I suppose. Basically, I've eliminated some of the earliest hours in exchange for some hours I can do from home late at night when I should be sleeping but can't anyway because my body is incapable of sleeping any time before midnight. Ultimately, I'm working the same number of hours, but the flexibility makes it much more accommodating and tolerable. Plus, fewer hours with the catatonic campus coworkers and approximately the same number of hours with Kaliri... so I approve.
Speaking of the research job, there have been a few memorable interviews, for which the transcripts and ultimate analysis will be interesting... mainly because it might be challenging to use some of the content in a legitimate academic sense.
There was an independent higher-end escort that came in for an interview. I expected her to come alone, for purposes of confidentiality, but she instead came with two other women and went through the entire interview with them. Initially, I was surprised, but she later explained that she takes part of the money she makes from her clients and pays these other two women, who are considerably less attractive, to follow her around so that she's far more attractive by comparison, and thusly more desirable to potential clients. Not only do I have to applaud her for her zealous commitment to narcissism, but the fact that she's incorporated it into a viable business. It makes me wonder if I should get some unattractive friends... or at least lock up all the attractive people in a prison to eliminate the competition. Somehow, in my mind, such a prison would end up resembling this campy 80s music video.
Finally, an intellectual exercise in the dangers of when metaphors turn literal. There was a sex worker who came in yesterday for an interview. Normally most of them speak English, and for those that do not, the majority of the others either speak Spanish or Russian, both of which are covered amidst the coworkers. However, the one that came in yesterday was from Denmark. Fortunately, Kaliri, whose father is from Greenland, which is a territory of Denmark, speaks Danish (as well as English, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Greenlandic). So, we both conducted the interview, which isn't too uncommon except for her role as translator. Anyway, we get to asking about the nature of her work and she starts discussing her specialty... at which time there's a dramatic pause because Kaliri thinks that she's misheard the prostitute. After about five minutes of clarification, I'm informed that the sex worker heard the vagina referred to as a pink taco... and no taco is complete without hot sauce. So, she would fill herself with some cheese, lettuce, spiced meat, and of course, hot sauce. That is, until one day, one of her clients brought an extra hot hot sauce... which not only burned, but actually caused blisters and internal damage. So... her policy now is nothing more intense than Del Scorcho.
And so, on that pleasant note, I now must depart and return to being productive elsewhere.