The View From Kalamazoo

Dude, something wicked this way comes. And in less than a week.

Crazy people are calling. Seriously. I don’t get paid enough to deal with some of these choice specimens. If I wanted to be verbally abused daily I’d work in fast food, you know? I don’t have student loan debt that makes me eligible for World Bank assistance and advanced degrees to be talked to like I’m four. I don’t shop at Walmart. Lord, why hast thou forsaken me?

I have so much to do. Congress crap at work, at home. Much ironing in my future. I’ll have to rob a bank to pay for my drycleaning I must drop off today (or be nekkid next week – not a pleasant thought). Details, details, details. All of the stuff that’s last minute because it has to be. I still have to work more on the showcase in the Bernhard Center. that’s been an entirely too-time-consuming exercise.

I have clay in my car. Yes, you read that right. Stoneware and red earthenware, to be exact. I need to carve the stoneware slab ’cause we’re making molds next week (I think I’ll do the tree, as well). And I have to deal with the two earthware slabs to design and cut intentional mosaics (center piece – I have already made all of the 4 X 4 tiles that will surround – and all decorated with majolica). And I’d better than them done by the end of the weekend or I’m toast. Must bring those back to class Thurs. (yes, I’m going to play with clay anyway, staffing students to sit in my stead. So there)

Oh, and clean the house, get caught up with laundry, get the kids clothes out and bundled for the next 10 days, refill ‘scrips, buy lunchables for Em for next week so Bri isn’t futsing with peanut butter and jelly…

Not to mention the powers that be require an answer on whether we’re doing private tutoring or summer school for Miz Thang this summer – perfect timing.

Uuugggh.

Great clock site on Wells Cathedral clock and Salisbury Cathedral clock!

On the Morgan Library

I’d run down the hall screaming and tearing my hair out, but I just spent a lot of money on a hair cut so I’ll just be screaming today. The Congress is a harsh mistress.

Note:
Last week we had two days in the 80s and a honkin’ snow storm.

Those coming next week should be frightened, very frightened. It has been 80 and snowed the same Congress. Jus’ sayin’.

This is your friend. Check early, check often. Pack layers!

I never find things this interesting digging in my yard – unless you count beer bottle caps, broken glass, and other student-party debris as interesting.

Does the idea of a crafting cage match scare the bejeezus out of anyone else? Those crazed ladies at the Michaels are already scary enough, thanks.

Have received email from a new reader – thanks for flying the friendly skies of CarnellAir, where the arguments can’t get off the ground and I can’t even give a flying f-ck!
Heh. Seriously, good to hear from you! Another satisfied customer from Bitch, Ph.D.!

Oxyrhynchus Papyri decoded!

`Impressive’ villa mosaic unearthed near Caesarea (thanks to mirabilis.ca for the link)

If you haven’t yet registered for the International Congress on Medieval Studies DO IT TODAY OR PAY A LATE FEE!!!

**runs screaming from the room**

I SO needed this today.

Just in case you’ve all (*cough*Brian*cough*) been wondering what to give me for Mother’s Day (ok, what I’d really like is a day off, but I never, ever get that because it’s almost always the last day of Congress. Bugger that):

I really need some calipers. Seriously.

The really seriously basic tool set I had originally bought was a piece of crap and isn’t doing so well at this point. I really should get a basic set that will actually stand up to use. This site has a similar set on sale, even – the 13 piece set w/plastic
rib.

I should get some brushes at some point – I like these. I currently have one, wide and flat – like a small house-painting brush. Not so great for detail. The other site I looked at has some brush sets, too. “Squeezably Soft Comfort” Aaa-hahahaha!

Ok, these are just handy as heck to have when it comes to dealing with tall vase-like forms, and I can switch that sponge out…I have a silly, round, yellow poly sponge, currently, and I’m not thrilled with it, so I think I’d like to try natural sponges: spongies!!

This is not to say, mind you, that I don’t expect to try and find time during Congress for some Exhibits Hall forays – I usually pick out some small piece of jewelry from one of the amber merchants for my Mother’s Day gift (someone must, after all), although probably only if I see something I really must have..I have a lot of amber pieces, mostly of the green and butterscotch colorations, and I don’t know that I necessarily need more. Dunno if there wil be many books that I might find useful that I don’t already own, but I do always hit Powell’s looking for bargains (since I’m paid like a mere secretary. ouch) and the Cistercian booth for some coveted nut munch (not because it’s on my diet, oh no, but because it’s waaaaay addictive!)

3 weeks.
!!

An undergrad somewhere in the Pacific Northwest has emailed me regarding my M.A. thesis. It’s a small ego boost (welcomed, as of late, let me tell you) and she can get easily from interlibrary loan since it’s a bound volume in our library.

As I looked up the information for it to send her for reference, it appears someone had actually checked it out recently. Again, a small thrill that I’m not the only crazy person around interested in the topic. Small. Oh well, it’s something vaguely resembling an affirmation.

I want to kill my computer. Congress is coming. I’m going mad.

So for lunch yesterday, Bri. treated The Daughter and I (it’s spring break for the kiddies here) to the gourmet offerings of Chez Taco Bell. If you haven’t been, recently, their sauce packets come with messages printed on the outside of the package. Things like “Hello.” and “Pick me! Pick me!” Amusing, I suppose…midly, but a bit more interesting than what had actaully been ordered for lunch, at least.

I come upon a packet, in the small handful I grabed, a packet with a message that I just had to share with you, gentle readers.

“Nice palm. I read a great deal of pleasure in your future.”

It looks like I palmed my own saucy fortune cookie! (cue drum set)

.
There are just too many places I can go with this message, and most of them too blue for prime time.

for all those who are fans of Michelle Brown’s (BL) palaeography books: U Toronto Press is having a big backlist sale