Tag Archives: sorority

On big numbers and “bucket lists”

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Y’know, I’ve kind of resisted the term “bucket list” since the movie came out, and everyone started talking about having one. And not just in terms of “things to do before I die,” which is, pretty much, the definition of the term. Suddenly, everyone had a “summer bucket list” or whatever. But, I digress…

Anyway, this year, I turn a big number. A big, scary number. (I was born in 1974–you do the math.) And while I’ve had a couple of setbacks, career-wise, I can’t really complain too much. The past decade has been really good to me. Last year, in particular, I took on some things that were a pretty big deal to me personally. I performed in a concert! On a stage! In front of people! I started learning how to play the ukulele. (still a work-in-progress, but I’m continuing to plug away!) I decided I was tired of waiting for someone else to create a local alumnae organization of my sorority and took it upon myself (with the help of my awesome and dedicated friends) to get it going. I wrote two songs. (Okay, co-wrote, and they were parodies, but still!) I also celebrated 5 years of marriage to an amazing man.

Looking ahead to this year, I’m finally going to take that ASL class like I’ve been talking about for ages. I’ve got some other song ideas that I want to work on. I’d like to get myself writing regularly again. I want to get back to yoga, too. And then there are some other things, some big things, that don’t necessarily need to happen this year or before the BIG NUMBER, but they are things I would like to do/see/experience at some point. So, here they are:

  1. Go to a Disney park (never been…bonus, go to a Disney park WITH SEANAN!)
  2. See the Northern Lights
  3. (this one has a huge question mark after it…) Get a Ph.D. (???? I think about it, but I’m not sure if I really want to do it. I’m not sure if it would be worth it…)
  4. See a show on Broadway. (I’ve seen lots of Broadway shows, but none of them on Broadway.)

I thought I had more things for this list, but that’s all that’s coming to mind at the moment…I reserve the right to add items as necessary. 😉

At any rate, happy 2014 to you, and please share what big (or small) things are on YOUR lists!

 

Things that are annoying

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Stupid comments

Earlier this evening, I was alerted to the existence of a website that I will not name. Basically, it consists of fraternity boys (and sorority girls) posting things that make them look like stereotypical asshats. Example:

The worst part of my summer so far has been having to move for my cleaning lady.

Some of them are disgusting. I won’t share any of the truly disgusting ones here. I started to get offended, then wondered if, perhaps, it was meant to be some sort of joke. So I googled.

I found a blog that discussed said website, written by a sorority woman at a university in California. She expressed her concerns about this website, which I definitely share. Then I read some of the comments. Users of the website had come out in droves to attack the blogger, which is why I am not linking or naming it. (you can contact me privately if you want to know.) These commenters all insisted that this website is a JOKE, and god, why don’t you have a sense of HUMOR already. They attacked the blogger personally, called her names, questioned the validity of her claim that she was in a sorority. Some of them were vaguely violent/threatening. The above comment made me especially sad, as it is apparent from the username that this person is a member of the same sorority that I am.

If it IS meant to be a joke, satirical, all in good fun, it’s failing. All it’s succeeding in doing is perpetuating negative stereotypes, misogyny, rape culture, and all sorts of other things that are bad for, well, everyone. And if other people who are/have been a part of Greek life don’t “get the joke”?

Maybe it’s just not that funny.

 

Random thoughts for Thursday

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Ok…lots of random stuff floating around in my brain. Let’s see if I can make some sense of it.

1. BRR. I DO NOT LIKE when the temps dip into the teens. (Lower than that? I’d prefer it if I didn’t have to leave the house, thanks.)

2. I think the iPad, aside from the stupid name, looks like an awesome shiny new toy. However, since in the past year, I have acquired (a) a MacBook pro, (b) a Kindle, and (c) a Droid, I probably won’t seeking to buy said shiny new toy. I will, however, look on with envy. 😉 (If you didn’t see it when I posted it on facebook, this post on the iPad is pretty funny)

3. It would be difficult for me not to note the passing of JD Salinger. While I can’t say I was a fan, he is an important figure in American literature.

4. This week, I proctored and rated the NYS Regents Exam in English. All of our students passed, including a small group targeted as struggling writers. One of my fall semester duties was teaching a course specifically designed to help these students improve their writing skills and pass the exam. Win! (also win…I have no proctoring/rating duties tomorrow, and so I don’t have to go in. whee!)

5. As a (former) sorority girl, I can honestly tell you that my sorority was nothing at all like this. (It’s really funny, but also sort of sad, as it reinforces all kinds of negative stereotypes about Greek life. So I say pfft to you, Cornell chapter of Pi Beta Phi–and give a hearty cheer for the Eta Beta chapter of Alpha Delta Pi, for showing me that not ALL sororities are “like that.”)

**I love you ADPi, deep down in my <3**

6. Sadly, I’ve wasted too much time…must accomplish something this evening, but what? Clean? Exercise? Crafts? Feel free to vote. 😉