MLA

I got a paper back in my literature class yesterday. I did quite well, but had numerous marks noting my failure to adhere to the various idosyncracies of the approved Modern Language Association style. The fine folks at MLA have gotten together and decided such things as that we ought to double space our papers, indent our paragraphs five spaces, and make parenthetical source citations sans commas, please. I don't do too well with this, because, mostly, I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing. I look up guidelines online as questions occur to me, but, of course, many of these questions never do and never would occur to me.

There is a simple solution to all this.

However, apparently, although I'm willing to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on my higher education, I draw a firm line at spending $17.50 to purchase my own copy of the MLA style guide.

It's not failing if you're not trying

This is apparently National Blog Posting Month and many online diarists (I hate the word blogger. It sounds vaguely revolting. Can I admit that?) have made a sacred vow to write every day in November and have signed a list of commitment. I have neither made a vow nor signed a list because I knew I'd fail to live up to the promise (nice attitude), but I do feel a nagging sense of guilt about it anyway. I thought you'd be pleased to know.

Keen business sense

Near where I work there is a lonely little retail site a block away from a major shopping street. It is just far enough out of the way as to go largely unnoticed. For quite some time, this location was the home of a store called Love of Ganesha which sold such things as saris, scarves, random knitted hats, jewelry, and incense. It tried valiantly, but was obliged to close.

The location stood empty for several months, but we are gearing up for the grand opening of a store called Lotus Blossom, All Powerful Lotus, Healing Lotus Flower--something like that. What is remarkable is that as far as I can tell, Power of the Lotus is IDENTICAL to Love of Ganesha.

Money laundering?
Religious propoganda?
Really, really bad business plan?

You tell me.

Sure signs

On the way home from the theatre I excitedly summarized both the plight of Catharine of Aragon and the events surrounding the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre for my companion (who, to be fair, seemed interested). Once home, I got ready for bed and climbed in with the novel I need to read by Tuesday. About midnight, I gave up the losing battle with sleep. It was only after I turned off the light and lowered myself to the pillow that I realized I still had my trusty pencil behind my ear.

Ah, grad school.