Road trips abound in opportunities to contemplate identity. The right music helps: Antje Duvekot’s “Vertigo”, John Gorka’s “Broken Place,” and Sarah Jarosz’s “Edge of a Dream.” “oh the view from this heighthigh above the ferriswheel lightsmight cause me to swaybut i am teaching myself to be brave” “That beautiful broken place you could not outshineContinue reading “I Lied About the Vertigo”
Category Archives: Gap Year 2
Out of Rhythm
Every small town has its flavor, points of interest, rhythm of life. Even a corner gas station, linked to a major national chain, evinces this fact. Whether it’s the two-for-three dollars sale on two-liter cokes, the individually plastic-wrapped chocolate bars on discount at the counter, or the few endlessly hamster-wheeling hot dogs at the grillContinue reading “Out of Rhythm”
Like Petey in Remember the Titans
Okay, grad schools. Let’s have a 50%-off chocolate heart to heart. I am deeply appreciative of your consideration in not “breaking up with me” over Valentine’s Day. That being said, the stores are now making way for Cadbury Eggs. Any day now would be fine. Email is great. Snail mail is fine. I would evenContinue reading “Like Petey in Remember the Titans”
The Ultimate Alternative Career
As the impatience to hear the outcome of my graduate applications builds, I’m happy to announce that I have discovered the perfect alternative career should my academic aspirations fail to materialize. How, you may ask, did I achieve this gargantuan feat? I began by cataloging my demonstrable skills and passions: Researching obscure and esoteric facts.Continue reading “The Ultimate Alternative Career”
Return of SMIOS
Being January, it seemed about time for a re-post: The Phases of Anticipation; or, How to Avoid Snowman SMIOS. So far, I’m right on schedule. (Please ignore the flagrant typo in the title of the original post.)
300…Words
Part of my job this summer has been to write very concise pieces of text about major world events, such as the Cold War, the Renaissance, and the 14th century plague. The average word limit for the job? 300 words. Let’s try that again. Part of my My job this summer has been to writeContinue reading “300…Words”
Impending Epistles
Two days ago, I did a very strange thing. I started writing a personal statement for my PhD applications. It was incredible how quickly the sense of panic began creeping over my fingers, not unlike the cricket that skittered over my foot later that night. I can’t help wondering if the cricket was a personificationContinue reading “Impending Epistles”
Movin’ Movin’ Movin’
Contrary to popular opinion, moving is just great. It comes with its own set of fabulous side effects. For example… Moving gives you an indefinite pass on tripping-related humor. The impulse to talk aloud to yourself in a British accent while unpacking increases tenfold after midnight. When you begin giving yourself “real person points” forContinue reading “Movin’ Movin’ Movin’”
Snark on the Side 