Spring Break Rocks!

Okay, not really, but at least I'm not in Texas right now. I am home in Kansas. Yes, I said home and Kansas in the same sentence. Over the years I have grown quite fond of Kansas, despite myself. While I am not a "native Kansan" living somewhere for over 20 years has to count for something, right? At any rate, it feels good to be back, even if only for a few days. I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I consider myself a Texan. It's just a way station on my journey. For the most part, a decent one, but it's not home. Kansas is home. Guess you have to leave someplace to discover how important it is to you. I'm officially a Mid-Westerner, even if I didn't start out that way. I started out as a Southerner, but I don't think anyone holds that against me now. I've spent so much time in Kansas that the Mid-Western ethos has been absorbed into my pores. So, I am immensely enjoying my Spring Break and seeing friends who have become family. I'll be sad to fly back to Texas on Monday and go back to school, but I'm glad I've had the chance to be here and re-energize myself for the rest of the semester, which will soon be over. And yes, I am not spending all of my time goofing off. I am actually getting some work done, mostly playwriting. My plan is to get as much of that done, even though it isn't due until the end of April, so I can concentrate on the paper I have to write for theatre history and the packet and presentation I have to do for theatre management. Making a list, checking it twice, crossing things off - that's the plan for now. Happy Spring Break to all!

You Know You're Ready For Spring Break When. . .

Do you ever have one of those days? You know, those days when you wonder why you got out of bed in the first place? Those can it get any worse days? Well, today was my day.

The theatre history prof was late and just when we were beginning to wonder if we should stay or go, we could hear him clomp down the hall in the cowboy boots he has become inordinately fond of wearing lately. Apparently wearing/owning a pair of cowboy boots when living in Texas is a rite of passage. Somehow I missed that message. At any rate, there were a couple of people missing from class this morning, and even though I was there, in plain view, he asked where I was. So, not only does he ignore me and not hear me, now he doesn't see me. Geez! That started off the day which only got worse in the next class. We got our assignments back and I got a negative 10. What the heck does that mean? And, even worse, there were no comments on my assignment. How am I supposed to figure out what I did wrong and correct it? We are getting a chance to correct it because it seems that most of the class, with a couple of exceptions, did the assignment wrong. That's the good news. The bad news is I still don't know how to fix it. And just why did I think it was a good idea to come back to school? Right now, I don't know the answer to that question.

The only good thing about being in school right now is that it is almost Spring Break and I'm going home to Kansas, where the people are semi-sane. I cannot wait for the time away. Only two more days of playwriting this week - woo hoo! We're talking about revision. Sam Smiley has a way to do everything, including revision. At least my in-class play reading is scheduled on April 22, which is the last slot. Of course, the prof did mention in class yesterday that those of us who had the last slots should have perfect scripts because we've had more time to work on them. What a way to encourage a student. If it's not perfect, then what - we're screwed and will fail the class? The life of a grad student is not for the fainthearted - I'm beginning to feel it's for the delusional!

To Talk, Or Not To Talk, That Is The Question

So, my theatre history prof told me a couple of weeks ago I needed to speak up more in class. He reiterated that in my mid-term conference. I have been trying to do so but he keeps ignoring me, which is leading to a feeling of frustration on my part. Three times now he has totally ignored me when I have tried to make a comment, and once he heard me, but choose to not hear me. GRRRRR! He says he is trying to prepare me for the academic wars, but I don't know if that's what I really want to end up doing. I did tell him that, but he said his conscience would bother him if he didn't toughen me up. I thought I was in school, not the Marine Corps, and I already have a father who felt it was his duty to "toughen me up" during my childhood.

This leaves me feeling like the rebellious child who refuses to do what the authority figure says because trying to do what is expected isn't getting me anywhere. My stubborn nature is beginning to take hold, and it's not going to be pretty. It's a good thing spring break is right around the corner. Maybe I'll come back from the break refreshed and ready to make it through the remainder of the semester with a postive attitude. Then again, maybe not. I will be talking in class on Tuesday, even if it's just to correct a date he gave for the English Restoration. It's not 1688, which he kept repeating - it's 1660 - duh. Okay,well maybe not duh. I know everyone doesn't know the date of Charles II's restoration to the throne of England off the top of their head, so I'll cut him some slack. However, he did ask someone in the class who had their laptop to look up the correct date, then never asked for it. Perhaps he wants to rewrite history. If only that were possible I could think of a lot of changes I'd make. Guess I'll have to put it in a play.

Sleeping With My Eyes Open

That is what I was doing in playwriting class today - seriously! I don't know how I managed to look even halfway interested in what was going on because the prof was droning on and on and on about - I'm not sure I could even tell you, that's how bad it was! I think it had something to do with how to write a "stageworthy play" or words to that effect. I was definitely somewhere else for that 50 minutes. The good news was that he let us out of class 2 minutes early - oh boy - so I was able to catch the earlier bus and get home before 5:00 p.m. Considering the way my week is going to go, that will the earliest I get home this week. Can I just say that I am counting down the class periods left before spring break and can't wait till it gets here? Kansas, here I come!

On the upside, three of us took a road trip to Caprock Canyon State Park on Sunday. It was a gorgeous day and the scenery was amazing. I hope the photos I took do it justice. As soon as I can figure out why I can't get my camera to download the photos I'll post them on Facebook for your viewing pleasure. It was peaceful and quiet there - it was a break that we all really needed. We're at mid-terms and we have lots of projects coming up that need to get done so the pressure is building. Going to the park was a wonderful way to let off some steam and play hooky from homework!

And the best part of the week? KU is coming to Lubbock to play Texas Tech on Wednesday and I get to go to the game - woo hoo - and I can't wait!! I love being at a Big 12 school and going to basketball games, even if Tech is not doing so well. There's just nothing like a college basketball game, no matter where it is. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Go KU! (I try not to say that too loudly around here. Don't want to get stomped on by a Red Raider - LOL.)