So, the beard is continuing and will be for the time being. Honestly, with these cold temps (w/wind chill we hit -8 the other day) I am enjoying the facial warmth.
In other news, my semester is winding down. The last two weeks have been challenging on many levels. Only through the grace of God and familial/friend support I was able to make it. Last week I finished my big paper on the Fulbright Program. I was stoked with how it turned out. I was seeking to answer how the beginning of the Cold War helped create a situation that warranted the Fulbright Program. In addition, I wanted to find out how the Cold War affected the experiences two program participants. All in all I feel as though I answered these questions. I had done a ton of research and through editing help I came to some strong conclusions. I also wrote a big paper seeking to answer whether or not a a book of pictures (from a road trip in 1973) was a work of history. I argued that indeed the book was a work of history. If you have the means, check out Stephen Shore’s A Road Trip Journal.
I took two classes this semester and I just received a grade in one of them. In my Research Seminar on Foreign Relations I received an A-. From all accounts, this is pretty good. I am feeling happy with that grade. I have not been in classes for four years and I started with two courses that are at the highest level my department offers. I am awaiting my score from my Methodology and Historiography class. This course truly challenged me each and every week. I am happy that this course was in my first semester because it allowed me to get quickly orientated.
In other news, I recently received my first paid writing gig! I am contributing to a encyclopedia of film and culture. This project will be a combined effort of many scholars/writers attempting to show how certain films, people, and subject matter relate to the social, economic, and political history of the United States. I have been fortunate to be selected for ten entries in this project. I am writing on the following: Boyz N’ the Hood, Hoop Dreams, Dances With Wolves, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, Roger Ebert, Al Pacino, Chris Columbus, The Actor’s Studio, the Independent Film, and the Teen Film. I am excited for this project and I have entries with staggered due-dates including February, June, and September of 2009. Building up the ole’ CV is pretty cool.
Some tunes before I go. I have to go with Straight No Chaser’s new Christmas record. The original ten from Indiana University are back with a major-label debut. There is something magical about they way these guys sing a cappella. I was quite fortunate to see the original group back-in-the-day at IU…they are awesome. I have attached one of their more fun songs, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
Yo! I just spent an hour going the SNC videos on youtube. Thanks for the time killer! Remember, you can always head down to Florida for some warm air!
That was fun! Thanks. The beard works but it looks like someone needs a nice, long, winters nap…am I right?