my other so-called life
Music: Ambulance Ltd: [self-titled] (2004)
It has felt this week like school is already in full swing, although classes do not begin until next week. I am already reading and thinking about my lectures next week (I will need to research my graduate class lecture this weekend), getting jackets to the dry cleaner's, and meeting with students. I do enjoy my job, and I am looking forward to teaching and writing as a diversion from myself, but I really didn't get much of a vacation this summer (friggin' home repair killed any travel plans). And as I near the tenure review process (which begins next summer, I think), I worry about how underdeveloped my life is outside of the academy.
For starters: my DJ-business has gone one full year without a gig. I should resolve this year to be more proactive with that. First step: business cards. Second step: purchase a fog machine (I discovered at the Walpurgisnacht party that my old one burned out). Third step: get my DJ booth banner silk-screened with logo. Forth step: advertise in the school newspaper. In addition to generating some spending money, you can meet a lot of people through DJ-ing, and it is kind of fun.
Another outside of school element to cultivate: doggie manners. Jesus is signed up for ten training sessions. I forgot he was supposed to go to attention training last night. Ooops. He is now barking like a madman. I need to figure out how to get him to stop barking at everything (this morning, he went ape-shit over a corner of the newspaper that was flapping because of the ceiling fan).
In addition to trying to get out more to see shows (I saw two this summer), I’ve also worked hard on being more active in Freemasonry. This summer I have been going to the lodge almost every week, and getting to know some of the "brothers" a little better.
Yesterday I wrote an article (2000 words) for the Scottish Rite Journal, sent it off, and went to see the personal trainer. When I returned home after an hour-long commute on Mo-Pac in sweaty clothes (traffic here in Austin sucks), I discovered with an email check that the editor of the journal had already accepted the damn thing! If only academic publishing was so speedy. I'll post the article if there's interest, although it's based on an argument I've made here on the blog before: some of our respected and talented Masons are "betting the farm" by publicly declaring Masonry's secrets are all published. They seem to forget that in a number of the degrees brothers are told that the real secret has been lost.
I also enjoy gardening, but it's been so darn uncomfortable outside the only time one can do it is early in the morning. My garden is burning up in the sun, anyway (it's garden ugly time).
Regrettably, I don't really have the time to cultivate more life outside of work (at least when school is in session), but even with exercise, DJ-ing, gardening, dog training, and the Masons, it seems like there is room for something else. Perhaps it is "starting a family," as my parents remind me in mournful tones. Perhaps I just need to take up guitar?