Rubi's Tuesdays

Did you know I walk Mary's dog once a week? I do. Except, I haven't for 2 weeks. So I'm really looking forward to it today. Even though it's pretty chilly outside. (I used to work at a Ruby Tuesday, though, so it's kinda funny that my Rubi day is Tuesday, isn't it? Or am I a bigger dork than I thought?)

I'm going to make beef stew when I get home. I haven't made that in a long, long time.

There's a ginormous geek squad van in my parking lot right now. Someone must be having a really geeky problem if they had to send the van instead of the Beetle.

Randomness. If you can't tell, I'm a fan.

So, I am seriously thinking about sending out my thesis to first book contests. I didn't think it would be ready so soon, but every time I touch it, it feels done. Just one problem. I think I'm going to miss most of the deadlines. Anybody know about good 1st book contests with December/January deadlines?

I decided not to study for the Lit GRE. I know what I know, and I'm not going to learn anything between now and Saturday. I'd rather just cross that mountain off my to do list.

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About blogs...

I've been thinking a lot about the appropriateness of my blog. I keep finding out about people who read it that I wouldn't expect to (say, random profs at UA who I've never had class with, classmates that I don't know very well, my mother on an increasingly regular basis). I wonder if someone at PhD program X has been reading all along, and when they get my application, they'll say, "this chick is crazy, don't let her in!" Also, next semester, when I join the Adjunct Army, I'll be teaching one computer lab class, so I've been thinking about making my students write their own blogs. If I do that, I feel like I'll have to go through my archives and delete anything where I whine about my students or my teaching ability.

So, the question is, how do I balance the two functions of this blog (1. po-biz/grad school self-promotion and 2. the ramblings of an ego-maniac with an inferiority complex)? Any suggestions, oh great blog experts?

Yum-O

I hate when Rachel Ray says that. But here's the thing. I made a pot roast in the slow cooker today, and that's what I said. Yum-O.

I got the crock pot for my birthday last November. Today is the first time I used it. The last time I tried to make pot roast (almost 3 years ago), I did it in the oven, and the guy I was dating at the time said it was like shoe leather (he was right, but boyfriends should know that the only appropriate response to girlfriends' cooking is, you guessed it, yum-o). Anywho, the pot roast was not like shoe leather and I am very full and very happy.

Earlier today, I got to hang out with my friend, B., who lives in Washington, and the guys from sixth grade. (You saw their picture back in July) B was in town for his grandfather's funeral, so not an entirely happy occasion, but a nice surprise for me. I suppose this is part of growing up...that the only time you see old friends is weddings, funerals, and class reunions. Bummer.

I'm glad it's the weekend, but this is going to be a busy one. Soooo much to do!