I can't think of anything to say here anymore that would interest anybody. Today I finally bought myself a copy of Edward Said's "Orientalism." And the second volume of "Persepolis." The first one was way better. Sigh.
I like!
No thanks!
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15 commentsReplies
fuznotfuz said, (177 days ago)
I'm not finding Persepolis nearly as engaging as the film.
And Orientalism is a great book.
Salomea said, (177 days ago)
Oh yeah? What did you think?
I guess I'll just list what's going on with me right now and see if any of that is grounds for conversation.
1. I am trying to lobby to teach a new class on a subject I love but have no technical academic credentials in! However, I think it will be awesome. It will combine srs bizness theory with pop culture froth with "respectable" post-modern authors and with really good old fashioned yarns. And Disney.
2. My legs are waging war on me. Despite the fact that I am pretty sedentary, my knees have decided to start hurting in ways that usually happen to people who exercize too much. The internet tells me the way to fix it is to put less strain on them. I ALREADY SIT ON MY ASS ALL DAY. I CANNOT GIVE UP WALKING, knees. I am seeing a doctor about this tomorrow.
Salomea said, (177 days ago)
Jeeps--yeah, wtf happened in the second volume? Boo. Fuz: did you like the film all the way through, or just the first half?
"Orientalism" is indeed good. I've read it before, I just decided I need to finally own it, since it's always out at the library.
fuznotfuz said, (177 days ago)
1. Could you be more specific? The description isn't helping me envision what you would teach. (And I've taught things, when I was teaching, in fields I didn't really know. It's possible.)
2. Exercise is the key, actually. That, and regular breaks. I fucked up my body when I was a grad student, and that fact comes back to haunt me every couple of years in the form of renewed pain. I find that standing and moving helps, along with large quantities of wine. (As a wonder drug, Aleve can just suck it, people.)
Salomea said, (177 days ago)
1. Nope, I don't want my identity to be too easily traceable for my department. This isn't the best site for my advisors to browse. :-P
2. I am trying to exercise more now and it's not helping the knee issue. If anything it makes it worse. My knee seriously gets wonky when I try to put any pressure on it--ie, knee bends, lunges, etc... sigh.
Oom Mao Mao said, (177 days ago)
I'd recommend a knee wrap. My knee popped out when I was working retail, and I had to wear a wrap for a long time.
When I went trekking in Nepal, I wore it as a precautionary measure. Occasionally, my knee will hurt, but I actually find, like fuz, that physical activity does help. So would stretching.
A bit of leg weight lifting, if you have access to the gym, might help strengthen the knee. You just have to find an exercise that doesn't hurt. Knee bends and lunges might put too much pressure on the knee while a machine lift might be ok.
fuznotfuz said, (177 days ago)
@Salomea: Note me; I'm curious.
As for exercise, perhaps you should be focusing on things that don't pressure the knee (swimming, for one).
fuznotfuz said, (177 days ago)
@Salomea: Actually, I liked both halves. It was one of the densest films I've ever seen, and I found both parts of that dense tale interesting for a number of reasons.
This is one of the few exceptions in which the source material is greatly outstripped by the film, IMHO.
Sharon said, (177 days ago)
OH Said. Him, Fanon, Foucoult, My former professor - will always remind me of my most agonizing class in grad school. That I some how managed to make an A in. [He let me write a creative piece for my final]
lay oale said, (176 days ago)
I once exchanged a few emails with Edward Said before he died. I asked him why he was being so mean to Israel and he said it was because of all the foreign aid that the US gives them.
I'd really like to read the second half of Persepolis.
Salomea said, (176 days ago)
I don't think Edward Said is very mean to Israel! You should see the people I hang out with! And yeah, the US's investment in Israel... let's not go there.
You don't really want to read the second half of Persepolis. But you may want to watch the movie.
scurvyman said, (176 days ago)
oh, that's disappointing to hear! I got my (Persian, child during the Revolution, 80s music loving, European-traveling) girlfriend the first volume and we loved it, and I was thinking about picking up the second for her before I leave. What did you guys like less about it? Just not as interesting?
we talked briefly about "Orientalism"/Said in my Cultural Geography class a while back...