Deranged vampire: a to do list
4 Comments Published by ginny on Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 8:39 PM.
Today’s tasks:
- Attend Paradise Lost lecture.
- Status: Done. I’ve been really enjoying John Parker’s lectures on PL, though every time I teach or read it I remember how much I dislike the poem. It isn’t because it’s bad, it’s because it presents the root of the type of misogyny that most bothers me so skillfully. J. Parker’s reading – male fear of parturition – was great, but it simply can’t fix the problem. There is nothing more frightening to me than the idea of the female self as a terrible cavity – an O, nothing. And Eve in her narcissism is all outside and empty inside – that’s why she’s able to be impregnated with evil. She is, in that way, like currency: her meaning is in transmission and exchange. Milton didn’t invent it, of course. But he says it so well and it bothers me so much.
- Status: Done. I’ve been really enjoying John Parker’s lectures on PL, though every time I teach or read it I remember how much I dislike the poem. It isn’t because it’s bad, it’s because it presents the root of the type of misogyny that most bothers me so skillfully. J. Parker’s reading – male fear of parturition – was great, but it simply can’t fix the problem. There is nothing more frightening to me than the idea of the female self as a terrible cavity – an O, nothing. And Eve in her narcissism is all outside and empty inside – that’s why she’s able to be impregnated with evil. She is, in that way, like currency: her meaning is in transmission and exchange. Milton didn’t invent it, of course. But he says it so well and it bothers me so much.
- Grade eight student papers
- Status: Two done, six to go. I think I’ll be able to get through them. The first two were pleasant, though one of them has been misled by another type of misogyny I find unpleasant: the idea that female beauty is “power” over men. Your own desire does not give power to someone else. It exists in you. Not in them. Also: rape. (This about Hero and Leander.)
- Status: Two done, six to go. I think I’ll be able to get through them. The first two were pleasant, though one of them has been misled by another type of misogyny I find unpleasant: the idea that female beauty is “power” over men. Your own desire does not give power to someone else. It exists in you. Not in them. Also: rape. (This about Hero and Leander.)
- Clean and straighten house a little in preparation for visit by a girl I hope will sublet my room
- Status: Done, but perhaps fruitless. The first girl has canceled for the second time – though another girl is going to come visit instead. This is good news, as she seems nice, but she’s answering the ad where the rent is lower by a hundred dollars, so if she takes the apartment I’m out $537.50 more than I would be if the other one does. Subletting is stressful for all concerned!
- Status: Done, but perhaps fruitless. The first girl has canceled for the second time – though another girl is going to come visit instead. This is good news, as she seems nice, but she’s answering the ad where the rent is lower by a hundred dollars, so if she takes the apartment I’m out $537.50 more than I would be if the other one does. Subletting is stressful for all concerned!
- Go on whirlwind shopping trip for Hanukkah gifts
- Status: Done! I felt quite stereotypically masculine for simply sweeping into one store and getting four gifts in one fell hasty swoop. I hope this doesn't turn out to be a mistake. The store made it easy with their suggestive placing of objects that were good for gifts!
- Call caterers and photographer to try to arrange meetings
- Done, in part. Am I making a mistake by only calling one photographer? I like his website, and I kept liking the photographs at venues that turned out to be his. I plan on asking “I am not photogenic. Are you sure you can make me not look like a deranged vampire choking on her own spittle, as I usually do in pictures?” On the other hand, he may not be able to prove this. Or to do it.
Awesome! I don't think it's unwise to only consult one photographer. I called one, was shocked, nay, offended by his obscenely inflated pricing scheme, and picked the next photographer that I found with a reasonable price. And things turned out great. I think you will be a gorgeous bride. And if not, well, vampires are very hot at the moment. :)
P.S. So glad you're blogging again!
Ginny- it's delightful to see what you've been up to lately.
I too will be a one-photographer bride. Go with your gut, but definitely do meet in person to get a feel for how comfortable you are with them.
I have the same concern about my photogenicity! also, about the mistaken conflation of beauty with power.