Women's Studies Conference

My professor made me submit a research paper to an intercollegiate women's studies conference that's happening in February and it's actually been accepted- I received notification today.
It's exciting, but also somewhat worrying- I'll have the floor for fifteen minutes and I'll be possibly questioned by a panel. A plan of action must be developed, I must talk to my professor about tidying up the paper a bit more as well.
This is, in a way, an ironic turn of events. I've never fancied myself to be a scholarly writer, I don't see that being the direction I'll go in after college either, but I did like this paper (and apparently others see some merit in it as well). I also felt quite proud of the paper on Troilus and Cressida I wrote last semester- mostly I was proud of the fact that I worked in a little joke about iambic pentameter. My professor thought it was amusing at any rate.
So, I'm excited and a little anxious at this point. The conference will interfere with my Forensic Speech schedule unfortunately, but I'm not even going to worry about that right now.

Edgar Allan Poe, You Don't Look a Day Over 200

But in fact, you are 202 today!

I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. During these
fits of absolute unconsciousness, I drank--God only knows how often or how much. As a matter of course, my enemies referred the insanity to the drink rather than the drink to the insanity.

from the Memoir of Edgar Allan Poe
For the past two years the mysterious "Poe Toaster" has failed to appear. For sixty years, a mysterious figure dressed in black left roses and a bottle of cognac on Poe's grave on his birthday, but not in 2010 or this year.
Theories abound that this fan has died. A shame there is no one to take up this mantle in his place... yet.
Still, enjoy remembering Poe today by rereading "Annabel Lee", "The Black Cat," "The Raven"- or just play with your Edgar Allan Poe finger puppet.

An Unexpected Extension

My winter break has been extended by some inclement weather. It was at eight fifteen this morning that I thought about skipping breakfast and climbing back into the warm cocoon of my bed, but decided to be productive instead.
I made some Calendula and Orange Goat's Milk soap and had some oatmeal.
Currently, I'm working on typing up all of my draftings and story notes for my mystery series. I have bits written for four books so far and need to start organizing them. Also, I need a new flash drive, as I start expanding my drafts, I have a feeling my already well used memory stick will fill up.
I'm writing my stories out of order. Scenes and subplots and bits of dialogue will come to me that are for two books down the road. Perhaps it is because I took a day back in early December and mapped out where I wanted the series as a whole to go. Obviously some of the details and such aren't clear yet, but I know basically what occurs in each book and how that effects an overall story arch for a five book series (and maybe a prequel).
There is something very empowering about knowing where you're going with your story and characters. Trust me, there have been many occasions where I've been lost and had no idea of what should happen next.
Still, I need to more seriously focus on finishing the first book (the second is in a far more complete state currently) and start looking for an agent. If I could publish my first novel before I finish college, I would be unutterably euphoric. More and more I realize that it really is what I want to do. So many people do work that doesn't make them happy and I don't know if I could, but writing makes me happy. Well, most of the time- even when if doesn't, I still have to do it. It's something I have to do. And I'd like to get paid for it. That would be nice.

To The Ends of the Earth: A Review

To be perfectly honest, I only watched this because it was one of Benedict Cumberbatch's first staring roles. Of course when I was scouring the internet for the videos I couldn't find it. Today on Hulu I see they have the entire series uploaded. You know, now that I've purchased it. I also marched through the snow to go to the post office today only to stand in front of the locked door and suddenly remember it's a holiday. This happens to me.

At any rate, To The Ends of the Earth is the story of Edmund Talbot, a young man travelling to Australia to take up a governmental position secured for him by his influential godfather. Along the way he begins to understand that privilege and influence also comes with responsibility. The story takes its form from Edmund's journal that he keeps to give to his godfather at the end of the journey.
On the long voyage he interacts with the crew, and begins to understand the politics that run through the ship. He also makes the acquaintance of a parson, a governess, a family that is actually an artist and his two mistresses, and a radical free thinker. All of the characters have fears and secrets that are touched on during this voyage and Edmund must confront his own ways of thinking about life and society. He even falls in love when their ship meets with another after a storm.

Though To The Ends of the Earth had a lot of potential it falls sadly short. Structurally the episodes are messy, the transition from the first to the second episode is particularly poor. Certain events seem to occur randomly- especially in the final episode, and without much meaning resulting. Perhaps it is because they tried to cram an entire trilogy into three ninety minute episodes. Though Cumberbatch and the rest of the cast add dimension to their characters, a satisfying conclusion is never reached and many plot lines are left somewhat flapping in the breeze.
The romance plot is rather uncomfortable as well. Instead of coming across as sweet, it comes across as slightly creepy and possibly the symptom of head injury. At one point it seems that this is going to be another point of learning and maturation for Edmund, but it falls somewhat flat and insists upon a love-at-first-sight story with an inexplicable ending.
If you are a hardcore Cumberbatch fan you may enjoy watching it to chart the progression of his work (and, as some will no doubt watch it for, a love scene and a showering scene where there is a rather full on shot of his butt). Still, I can't say that it is a series I will watch again or recommend. For an excellent historical film featuring Cumberbatch, I would suggest Amazing Grace, though not without a few structural difficulties, it is engaging and inspiring and has cast with well known, respected, and talented actors.

Sonnet Sunday: Cummings

Something more contemporary. "Unrealities III" by e.e. cummings:

it is at moments after i have dreamed
of the rare entertainment of your eyes,
when (being fool to fancy) i have deemed

with your peculiar mouth my heart made wise;
at moments when the glassy darkness holds

the genuine apparition of your smile
(it was through tears always) and silence moulds
such strangeness as was mine a little while;

moments when my once more illustrious arms
are filled with fascination, when my breast
wears the intolerant brightness of your charms:

one pierced moment whiter than the rest

--turning from the tremendous lie of sleep
i watch the roses of the day grow deep.

The Tail End of Winter Break

The Spring semester starts in two days. I've enjoyed almost four weeks of *wild debauchery* that is now coming to an end.
By wild debauchery of course, I mean I've read several lovely books that weren't required for classes, I've had a few semi-spontaneous social interactions, made lip balm, consumed copious amounts of tea and toast, and I've accomplished a great deal of writing as well- none of which was class required. What can I say? I'm quite the delinquent. Honestly, I dread giving up the liberty to do what I want with my time for a somewhat rigorous schedule of classes, club meetings, and rehearsals.
I like having time to talk to my characters and nurture my stories.
My short story for the Jane Austen Made Me Do It contest isn't going as well as I'd hoped, unfortunately. I only have a few pages and I feel like it's not Austen enough. I actually scrapped my initial attempt and started over- but it still isn't hitting the note I want it to. It needs some work shopping.
All my textbooks have arrived, I am taking some interesting classes this semester at least. I'm also in a Tennessee Williams play- I adore him.

Reading Challenges- Sherlock Holmes

I see blogs hosting reading challenges all the time, I've even participated in a few. However, I really want to host my own now.
I've been reading so much Sherlock Holmes, the originals and pastiches and talking to others that either have been as well, or want to start. This is why I suddenly want to host a Sherlock Holmes reading challenge.
Obviously there are several obstacles such as getting the word out and the question: Who wants to start a reading challenge in February?
Perhaps I'll wait and make this a summer reading challenge, in the meantime I'll put out some feelers to see if there is any interest in such an undertaking. Think of it as sort of a book club for those that are enamoured with the great detective.
The exact parameters still have to be determined, but probably the standard 4-6 books and I'll probably include movies as well.
What do you guys think?