African Writers

I just finished reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. I have now started reading Devil On The Cross by Ngugi. These are assigned texts for non-western texts class. Basically, these authors are both African and are outspoken about neo-colonial imperialism. That is a hefty thing to be against. I truly see the point of Chinua Achebe, that Africa had a culture that was not as primitive as writers like Joseph Conrad would have you believe. It was organized and no more violent than any other culture throughout history. However, I feel that both writers are more nostalgic than they care to admit. Yes, things do fall apart and times change but the world is round and everything will come full circle. They should not lament the past and look towards the future. England and Christianity may have changed Nigeria but how can Nigeria change England and Christianity? This should be the focus instead of trying to recapture time. Move forward and take the good things with you and leave the bad behind.

Easter Sunday

It is truly amazing to know that no matter how bad you screw up, there is still one person who loves you enough to die on a cross for you. I am loved and no one can take that away from me.

Graduation: Big Deal or Not?

I graduate very soon. My last graduation was in 1988 when I graduated from high school. Now, 17 years later I am finally going to finish my first bachelor's degree. Is it a big deal? I am getting the feeling it is not. I have recently won an award for some type of student leadership. Plus I got a letter this past week saying I am in the top 10% of my class so I will graduate with honors. That is kind of cool. Very surprising but cool. My husband is a doctor so he doesn't really view this as an accomplishment. Or if he does he doesn't act like it is. Men are hard to read sometimes. But I refuse to turn my blog into a male bashing forum. What is the point of that? I was just wondering how a college education got so cheap. I do plan to go to graduate school but will that even be enough? Tons of people have master degrees nowadays. So maybe I shouldn't be bothered by the apathetic attitudes I have encountered. So I guess the answer is that it is a big deal and not a big deal all in one. Hey, isn't that what I just learned in college? Nothing is truly black or white, just shades of gray? Something freaky is going on here......

Brownies

There is nothing in the world more wonderful than brownies. I am not talking about tiny girl scouts but the luscious, chocolate concoctions that melt in your mouth. You can have milk chocolate, dark chocolate, fudgy, chewy or cakelike. There is a brand for everyone. Even if you don't like chocolate you can have blonde brownies which taste suspiciously like toll house cookies without chocolate chips. Brownies also compliment all occasions. Eat them for comfort, fellowship, celebration and as an aphrodisiac. mmmmmm.......

The Imposter Syndrome

I am an imposter. Psychologists disagree about the existence of the imposter phenomenom but I know it is real. I tried to hide it but in academics my fear rises daily. Have you ever been told that you are great at something? You say that praise is not necessary or deserved but the person argues with you and keeps saying positive things. Eventually, you end up smiling politely and thanking them for such nice comments but deep down you know you are unworthy. You are glad for the praise because you have fooled yet another person but any kind of attention draws scrutiny at some point. Soon your secret will be out and the whole world will know just how stupid and incompetent you are. So I cross my fingers and hope one more day will slip by without being exposed. The life of an imposter is stressful.

Learned Lesson

When it comes to online publishing, never use real names. The internet is a secret world, shrouded in a cloak of anonymity. One must never compromise this world by using real names. It just pisses people off and you have to delete all entries with the offensive exposure. I may have lost a few days of brilliant insight but its my own damn fault for being one of those act-first-think-later type of people. Peace to my readers.

Road Rage or Therapy?

I am going away for the weekend. I will be driving for 800 miles so it should take between 12 and 15 hours to get there. How many cuss words do you think I will say? I am putting my guess at around 3 per hour. It is only fair to let you know the kids are going too so there will be the added "cut that crap out back there!" to go along with the "that asshole just cut me off!" Otherwise, I am an angel. It is the steering wheel that draws all impurities from your body through the mouth. It can be rather therapeutic. I am looking forward to my cleansing.

Yahoo Member Directory Pictures

Have you ever searched through the pictures of Yahoo members? I say be sure to check the box "allow adult profiles" for a real funny experience. I have never seen so many men and women ready to bare it all for the entire cyberworld to see. I admit, I found one picture of this Italian fellow that shocked me. Well the photo wasn't of his face or anything but you could tell it was a picture of a guy, if you know what I mean. It was the biggest example of manhood I had ever seen so I felt compelled to send a note to him. I asked if that weapon was real or was the pictured doctored up or enhanced somehow. He of course claimed it was him. But then when I was searching later through some more profiles, lo and behold, there was the SAME picture as the famous Italian man! Yet this was a guy from NY that spoke perfect english. So whoever owns the real penis of the profile a_battman on yahoo, could you please stand up? I mean, as long as it isn't too painful to stand. You never know with 12 inches of steel weighing you down.

Tommy Lee Jones

I saw the cheerleader movie last night with Tommy Lee Jones. That is one pure Texan man. It is hard to believe he was ivy league snootery at one point in his life but I guess so was Dub-ya. Country does not mean dumb. So politics aside (Texans are born blue or red and cannot change), I say TLJ represents the hot Texan man we women have come to swoon over. Do we care if he wears Gucci? Hell no! We want a guy who can shoot a gun; a guy who has a strong sense of justice, calls us 'purdy' while opening the door for us and looks damn good in wrangler jeans! That is what makes the ladies faint around here. So you pretty boys like Jude Law and Ben Affleck, watch out 'cause you'll lose to a man like Tommy Lee Jones everytime. Well I shouldn't have put Ben Affleck in that group because he is just a loser but if I had to choose between Jude Law (who I think is HOT) or TLJ, my response would be "hook 'em horns!" Be still my heart.

Mondays in Springtime

I love the way the wind rustles the trees in the springtime. I know it is just a matter of time before the katydids appear and beginning their humming music. The south is a world of its own. Of course there is always the yellow pollen dust that covers the cars if you are parked outside. Just when your heart starts that twitter-pating, a few good sneezes bring you right back into reality.

Day Two

Have you ever tried to find a hotel online? If you aren't picky and don't mind paying in advance this is a fine way to go. However, if you have any standards at all, then the online hotel reservation forum is lacking. Try finding a 2 bedroom suite or even asking for adjoining rooms so your kids don't get an early sex education course. I did have luck with the 2 bedrooms suites but of course they cost about $200 per night. That is if you are lucky. I mean I feel like I am paying for sex which isn't a good thing. Why don't hotels try harder for active parents who travel? I suppose only Disneyland cares about those situations as all of their hotels seem to be accomodating to adult needs. Yeah, little bungalows with jacuzzi bathtubs and their $200 nightly fee includes park hopper tickets! That is why so many people go to Disney vacations spots. Mickey Mouse is okay but parents can get a little action in between the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Main Street Electrical Parade.

Welcome Day

I have drifted into the cyber world and found a forum. Yes, I speak to everyone and no one while the mysteries of the world are exposed by me. I am the teacher, the informer and the delusional sidewalk prophet. I am Daphnewood.

I want to say "Welcome! Please keep your hands and arms inside the moving vehicle at all times. Thank you."