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helter-skelter

Published on October 4, 2006 By crimson In Blogging

Rhymes With Orange...: The colors almost knocked me over this morning. Reds, yellows and oh! the oranges. It was overstimulating, and the gray skies only amped up the colors that much more. It was simply the best fall day, when the air is heavy with fog, and the leaves crunch satisfyingly beneath your sneakers. The smell of the earth was so powerful, and only intensified with the slow drizzle that began later in the afternoon. I went out of my way to get a coffee, and it was nicely flavoured with hazelnut and a hint of vanilla. It was a day for either making plans or curling under the covers. I did neither, though.
Take one...: Back on campus, and more filming of Mask, Dance and Storytelling, 101. Some would argue about the necessity for such a bird course in school. Of course, a liberal education brings much arguement. However, you could look at it from this perspective: this is Canada's first Indigenous Arts Theatre program, and as storytelling was the traditional method of teaching within native communities, isn't this the perfect vehicle to illustrate such offerings? There's so much to think, and write about when it comes to Aboriginal education, that I wouldn't know where to begin. Little thoughts that passed through my mind were that of the 20+ students involved in the course, perhaps only 2 students were 'noticably Aboriginal', which is a definite argumental point within the context of Indigenous studies. Does it matter? There was another time during fiming, where one of the students seemed to 'draw out' during an exercise, sort of mimicking a spirtitual or magical happening, and it made me roll my eyes. I don't know what it is about Aboriginal teaching, but whenever I hear flutes playing with background forest effects and the slow steady beat of a drum, I'm not inspired, just a bit disgusted. This was sort of the same thing.
Golden Years: It's not My University any more. I enjoy working here, but couldn't and wouldn't go back as a student. I saw a guy I know and he walked across the bridge with a couple of professors. Craig nodded at me, and smirked at the same time, and I know he was thinking about the same thing that I was. In less than 2 more steps, Craig will probably be one of them. 70 thousand dollars later, Craig's going to be sprouting off the same stuff that he's been eating for the past 7 years. Each of those dollars, he's both earned and flirted away. Another PHD student and I had the same conversation: no smarter, but different life choices. I or half a dozen other people could have done the same things but haven't because of other obstacles or necessities. It's all give or take. I know it sounds like sour grapes, but it's nothing close. I've got mine, and he's got his. End of story.

End of story.

Comments

foreverserenity

on Oct 05, 2006

Helter skelter and quiet musings. I love your description of fall, very colourful as I'm sure it was when you saw it (duhhhh, you did!)

!

University life is always interesting isn't it. You have such a wide variety and what they do or end up doing is always a matter of choice.

dynamaso

on Oct 13, 2006

I too like the description of fall. The coffee sounds tasty. Hmm, coffee. I might just have to go get me a cup now.

'Golden Years' is one of my favourite Bowie songs and rather relevant to your paragraph. Was this your intention?

"Golden years, gold whop whop whop...
Don't let me hear you say lifes taking you nowhere, angel..."

Well written, Nic.

crimson

on Oct 14, 2006

'Golden Years' is one of my favourite Bowie songs and rather relevant to your paragraph

I love Bowie, and this song kicks. I was listening to it earlier this week and I can't get it out of my head, but I'm not complaining. Sure beats children's music.

dynamaso

on Oct 15, 2006

I can't get it out of my head, but I'm not complaining. Sure beats children's music.

I know what you mean. 'Golden Years' and 'Sorrow' do the same to me. Thankfully, I don't have the children's music concerns you do.

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