Fly on little wing…
Mansfield Park
A ha! I started reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen again (for my next semester at school) and I really like it. I have read it before — about 12-14 years ago and I didn’t really like it. I thought the heroine, Fanny, very unexciting – much too placid and perhaps a little dumb. I couldn’t understand Austen’s point in writing this story or creating this character. I prefer Austen’s Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice or Anne from Persuasion. But I am discovering there is more to the book and perhaps to the character than I originally thought.
It just goes to show you that there are times when you just aren’t ready for a book. This time around I am totally struck by how Mansfield Park is an Austen take on a Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (which I must also read for next semester). I am so excited about this. I did an internet search on the two titles together and came across one scholarly work that takes this interpretation. So cool! Now I want to do a ton of research and learn all I can on Mansfield Park so perhaps I can work on my own analysis. I love literary analysis!!
Golden Uterus?
I love this article!! Finally something on this whole mother prerogative issue and makes no bones about having an opinion about how some mother’s behavior is not right.
Does your Wife or Ex-Wife Have a Golden Uterus
Complex? 15 Characteristics of the Golden Uterus
by Dr. Tara J. Palmatier
“Are you frustrated with your wife or ex-wife’s attitude of “I AM THE MOTHER; YOU ARE IRRELEVANT” when it comes to raising your shared children? Does she have an over-inflated sense of self because she’s a mother? Does she believe the mere act of giving birth entitles her to special privileges and gives her absolute, unilateral power over you and the children? If so, your wife/ex-wife/mother of your children may be a golden uterus (GU) and suffer from golden uterus complex (GUC).”
Stolen Quotes
“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”
“Don’t let what you want at the moment keep you from having what you want most of all.”
“A year from now you’ll be glad you started today.”
…
“What happens to us is not as important as what happens within us.”
“The best things in life are free — the second best are expensive.” – Coco Chanel
“If you can’t see the bright side of life, polish the dull side.”
I stole these quotes from Kenlie Tiggeman’s facebook page. She is the woman who is all over the news because she is reportedly too fat to fly according to Southwest. That is some BS! I am looking for her blog because I am sure it would be inspirational.
Ready for School
I hate to say it but I am ready for school to start again. I have all my classes lined up and I can’t wait because it seems they will be fun and interesting (most are writing and literature courses). Of course they will be a lot of work also – 5 classes plus wind symphony — another 16+ credit semester. Plus I may add 1-2 more if I get involved in research. Yikes!
I am a super senior, in the words of my stepson. You might say I am a super-duper senior, ha. I have way more credits than I need to graduate but I just keep telling myself it will all be worth when I graduate with 2 degrees. I am thankful I love school and so thankful I am able to attend UM-Flint.
What I really need to do is to work on my writing this summer. Plus I have my reading list for next semester so I could get crackin’ on that. I need to write at least 300 words a day even if it is in my silly blog and I need to read a ton of stuff. I need to work on my discipline and just do it. I am picturing myself reading while I walk on the treadmill all summer long because that is another thing I need to do — get in shape. Anything I am able to get done this summer will certainly help me in the fall. So my goals for the summer are:
Study for the GRE (as always)
practice my trombone (get my lips and breathing in shape for wind symphony)
exercise (get my ass in shape for graduation which will also help with breathing and energy)
eat better (plus I have to get my husband to eat some vegetables)
read my ass off (psychology review and studies, and all the books for school – lots of Shakespeare, a little Austen –Mansfield Park, my least favorite – blech– some women’s lit and modern British lit and lots of books about writing)
write my ass off (haha, I think I can do this on the treadmill too!)
I have some other goals too, like getting my house in order, but my husband will be a big force in that.
So as usual so much to do and so little time. I guess that is why I am ready to go back to school – I can’t really relax anyway.
F U
Today is an f*ck you kind of day — it is cold, cloudy and I am irritated (at people thinking all problems in life are solved by ‘sweetness and light’… No, sometimes there is a problem that cannot be solved by simply changing your attitude *slight rant below*) and angry (grieving can do that to you).
I should have went to work to get some smiles but no work for me today. I guess I can say today I am thankful for smiles whether from friends or strangers because they always help me feel better. Maybe I should go somewhere, go see a friend but I really need to stay home and work on housework — blech! Can’t wait for my husband to get home.
*Slight Rant
Yeah, I know when I have a poor attitude so either I stay home and deal with it or I write it out, sometimes in my blog. I don’t usually take it out on others so it pisses me off when people try to make you think that in order to deal with unpleasant people (who have no qualms about taking their bad attitude out on you) or situations all you have to do is to change your own attitude or perceptions. Well that is some bullshit. It is not all wrong but it does not fit every person or situation. What it does is makes me feel like I have to take the blame and change myself to accommodate shitty people or shitty situations. That is not right and I am tired of being made to feel like everything will be better as long as I change. I change to meet the demands of life’s challenges but there are some people or situations that I simply cannot adapt to. I understand that the world will not change to accommadate me. I understand there are situations in life that will never be pleasant and will never change but I do resent the fact that so many of us, so many good people have to put up with bullshit only to be told “If you change your outlook or perception everything will be all right.” Been there, done that, it doesn’t work for all situations so quit spouting fake Pollyanna bullshit and get fucking real.
I know one thing that works as far as changes I can make and that is if someone or a situation is not right for you, is wholly unpleasant, you get the fuck away from it as soon as you can or cut as much of the bullshit out of your life as you can. There is no outlook/perception change involved.
F U all assholes, fakers, posers and hypocrites!
* end rant.
Jacquelyn's Space 