Today I began my first experiment with propagating two new types of plants. I am attempting to start two Rex Begonias and two Selaginella (Ruby Spikemoss).  I'm hoping to see if it works in around 4 weeks. This means that hopefully right after the INCS conference in New York, I'll come home to four new little plants ( Read more... )

Tonight I stared into the abyss, but it most certainly did not stare back ( Read more... )

I totally failed at St. Patrick's day this year. Oops. I didn't even realize that it was today until I was at the gym and watching a parade on the television. At least I listened to the Pogues, so I don't feel like I've completely abandoned my heritage. I'd really hoped to do something this year, but something about the academic hermit life makes ( Read more... )

- I really need to take a photography class. Direct Florida sun defeats me, even now that I set my exposure and white balance ( Read more... )

My mind is a kaleidoscope and this week it has been whirling convulsively. The colors shift from grey to almond to screeching halts and awkward interruptions back to teak and mauve and tender moments. Very inspiring, but less comfortable  in my own head than I've felt in many months. Some of it is my own fault for being a changeful and ( Read more... )

Book List 2009

14. The Green Carnation by Robert Hichens  Aesthetic parody novel. Highly recommended especially the 1949 edition with its charming introduction by the author so many years after the novel's first splash. I cannot believe more people don't read this one.

15. Venus and Tannhauser by Aubrey Beardsley. This pornographic and aesthetic book ( Read more... )

My dad just left after a wonderful visit. It was the most time we've concentratedly spent together in many years and it was great. I feel like it was a great way to have a vacation, and I really like hanging out with Alex and my dad.  We hiked a bunch, talked at length about house projects, saw challenging and good movies, ate tremendous food(in ( Read more... )

Book List 2009

12.Miss Brown  Vernon Lee 1884

This is a really neat and totaly weird awkward Victorian novel. Unfortunately most people will never read it because it is only available by Kessinger or Dodo press each choosing to publish it in three slim volumes. These volumes have no introduction or context, or anything to help a modern reader frame ( Read more... )

I have worked for 6 out of the last 7 days. I am now in my third solid day of terrible back and tailbone pain. Last night didn't really involve sleep nearly as much as failure  and painful tossing and turning.

Boo.

Book List 2009

9. Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (popularly but incorrectly known as Fanny Hill) by John Cleland.

I felt ashamed that I've gotten this many years into studying written pornography but hadn't read the sort-of grandfather of the genre, so I fixed that. Now I'm reading two books about the same nebulous cloud of dissertation research, ( Read more... )