Grown-Ups

My parents called last night, quite rightfully concerned about the e-mail I'd sent them saying that Votania was in the hospital. I filled them in, and then they filled me in on the happenings in Alaska.

They are tearing apart the chicken house, since we have no more chickens, and mice took up residence; Mama was amused to find that the sign that Narcissa and I had made, of warning and instruction to visitors about the tiny peeping chicks in residence was still on the chicken house, in all my third-grade spelling, handwriting, and diction glory. 'the constant clamour of peeping chicks' was one golden line from it. It had been protected all these years by being a layer in the construction; when either the insulation or the final outer shell had been put on the thing, the sign had been preserved underneath. Hilarious.

FatherSir wanted to know how my "here, chick, chick" project was coming along, by which he meant the slow taming and seduction of Darkside. You can't do much with a man if he's not figuratively tame enough to eat out of your hand, and Darkside is shy and skittish, much like the rooster in my dream. My parents approve of Darkside; they think he's a keeper, and a nice young man. They didn't get to meet him for long, but they're hearing things about him.

We don't have to worry about rent this month; all we have to worry about is getting collected and together and back in operating condition. I may well go for evening classes next tri, so I can take a day job. I love my parents. The idea is, they help me out now, and I will of course take care of them later. Since music is a notoriously low-salaried job, I am to be the family breadwinner as a programmer. This is perfectly fine with me. I am my father's daughter.

Getting Ashford's Goat(footed balloonman)

Yesterday, Ashford read us some poems. The one had the line, "goatfooted balloonman". He asked us what the imagery "goat footed" suggested to us. "Who has goat feet?" he asked.

"Pan!" I responded.
He made that Eh? face, cupping his ear.
"The Classical god Pan," I repeated.

That was not the answer he was looking for.

This morning, AJ came over at breakfast and told me that he'd really appreciated my comment in class yesterday, even if no one else had. Darkside looked at me in inquiry, and I explained the situation to him.


Today I suggested a novel idea to AJ for the oral interpretation. If we had only had the foresight to record class, then we could interpret "The Best of Ashford"! AJ cracked up.


Evidently, Neighbor's class had also been asked to interpret the symbolism of goat feet. Satyr! was Neighbor's first thought, of course, but he didn't, sadly, add this aloud.

Still panicky.

I think Marx's panic is contagious. Hon, call her mom, and see what's up. The phone and I only talk to each other these days if I'm here when it rings, or if I'm calling Darkside or Dawn. Seriously. I'm closing down that much.

Home!

Almost three days in the hospital means almost three days of no shower. Votania's very logical first move upon returning home, after the obligatory "Yes, I'm doing all right and I'm home" calls, was a shower.

Glad to have her back.

Happy Lunatic

votania's back at home, and all is again right with the world.

I can go to sleep safely now.

Oh, yeah.

Thanks to everyone who sent Votania their good wishes and happy thoughts. Hugs. Yay!

Speech!

Our group, after much debate, ultimately decided on Pink Floyd. Bob has chosen "Comfortably Numb"; I have laid dibs upon "Brain Damage".

( Lyrics )

Floyd lyrics archive

http://www.allfloyd.com/lyrics/Lyrics.html

Jabberwocky vs. Foreign Language

Today, someone asked if they could read something written in another language. Mr. Ashford told him that he could not, as the class would not be able to understand what was being said.

I raised my hand at this point, and recalled to Mr. Ashford his statement of just the day before, about "Jabberwocky", and how the entire poem was nonsense, and it was up to the reader to interpret the nonsense meaningfully to the audience. Should not this principle apply to pieces in foreign language as well?

It's not often that the entire class responds to one of my statements by looking at one another and nodding in complete agreement. (I was inspired by Feynman's experience with speaking in Italian.)

Mr. Ashford replied that he would be unable to grasp whether the piece had been done justice to, and dismissed the subject.


I like making the rest of the class think.