accidental feminist

Women in NYC December 10, 2005

For reasons that were certainly more sad than happy I ended up in New York City this weekend. And although having the circumstances of my arrival different, it has been nice to see friends and family.

I’ve been told that my posts are too long, so I’ll get to the point.

I was sarged by a girl at a bar - who was so interesting I told a couple of points that I like to use to control conversation. Mainly, creating a vaccuum and rewarding my convo-partner when they fill it. Giving the business examples (she is an entrepreneur) I made a case for the very simple two-person exchange.

So, we’re talking about social dynamics and group theory (socially, not mathematically) and at one point she asks me: Do you use NLP.

My brain exploded.

NLP stands for neuro linguistic programming, and is borderline hypnosis; primarily pattern recognition/breaking.

I don’t use NLP.

My stride was broken and I answered (honestly) no.

Do you?

She said yes.

Then she pointed out the four or five things we were doing in tandem: mirrored sitting positions, etc…

Unbelievable.

Love,

EATS

capote = he walked out the front door December 9, 2005

…yet another film to support my claim that all art is about art. Having not read “In Cold Blood” (although I got a kick out of seeing it being sold at the concession stand with a sticker on it that said “a tie in to the film”…”tie in”? It’s not like it’s the novel adaptation of the film or something…), I was fascinated to watch the creative process take hold of this narcissistic genius.

I also loved the way Harper Lee was treated by the New York artistic elite: “Hey, congratulations on your book? It’s for kids right? oh, no, that’s right, it’s about kids. Hey, that’s great.” This photo is actually a great summary of the relationship between the two writers.

The moral of the film: extremely eccentric people become either writers or murderers. Take your pick.

Lord of the Flies “Gender Bender” December 7, 2005

So I’m asking my students to write a response to a literary criticism about whether the gender bias in “Lord of the Flies” (choosing the inhabitants of the island to be all male) negates its ability to come to conclusions about the nature of humanity.

If this sounds fascinating to you, you can read the criticism in the extended entry below. (Otherwise, you can just wait around for Dina to post again.) And if you can write a better response essay than any of my students, I may use it as a model in class.

P.S. Hmmm…that author’s name sounds familiar…
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“my husband” December 6, 2005

I thought it was just a newlywed thing. I thought it would wear off. But yesterday, during a friendly “water cooler” discussion of the television series “24″, I referenced “my husband” no less than three times. I aknowledge that it’s a bit excessive, but I can’t stop. It’s not like I’m being hit on by some creepy guy at a bar; it’s not like I’m trying to rub it in everyone’s faces. Of course, it could be that I have no outside social life, and all of the interesting things that happen to me happen to include him.

I’m going to try not to say “my husband” all day today. And since I’m getting an early start of it (it’s before 6 AM right now), that poses a fairly formidable challenge.

Oh, before I forget, my husband made me dinner last night for our anniversary, and gave me a copy of Harold Bloom’s “The Best Poems of the English language”. Wasn’t that sweet?

Okay, starting now.

Dina’s First Post December 5, 2005

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The matrix

Had a date tonight, this time I was the one who was asked out.

Kiss closed. Looking forward to a second.

I have seen the matrix. I am about amonth away from PUA status.

On a side note, I hate my life, everything I’ve become and everywhere I think I might be going.

EATS

Another first date… December 4, 2005

As you know, the only way to get around the rejection from a girl is to date five at the same time…
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the naming of tea is a curious matter December 2, 2005

I can’t help but think that there’s something insidiously subliminal about naming a tea “Hot Cinnamon Sunset.”

Naysayers, sound off…

Hi Everyone, Eats here …

It has come to my attention, privately, that there are some women out there who are incensed by my methods.

To those women, I request that you please chime in. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

If your name starts and ends with an “A,” I’m talking to you.

lest you think I only have one brilliant daughter

The other day, Dina (2 1/2 years of yummy cuteness) and I were sitting on her bedroom floor eating carrots and hummus. We made eye contact, and suddenly, Dina began engaging me in a game of “mirror.” It started innocently, she would reach her arm out, then touch her nose, then pick up a carrot and crunch it with gusto. Being a veteran improv performer, I had no problem following her every move, and she got a kick out of it.

But she was getting bored.

So she raised the stakes.

The next time her hand came down from the air, she slowly moved it past the bag of carrots. Slowly, slowly, toward the hummus. As our hands both moved toward the tub of Mediterranean dip, she smiled. She maintained eye contact as our fingers slowly sank into the beige spread.

She smiled a devious smile. I didn’t flinch.

But someday…someday, the student will surpass the master. She will defeat me.