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because i only ever come to post when i've finished a book: i thought the people's tongue by ilan stavans was going to be something different from what it was. what it is is a collection of writings over the course of american history about how the us has used english as a political tool and the various ways people's understandings of and opinions on american english have changed over time. lots of these writings were really interesting: the infinite jest guy's rather scathing review of a dictionary, for example, and his discussion of the utility of standard written english/"formal" english; the entire transcript of "who's on first"; various discussions of the immigrant experience; and a lot of good poetry. however, the pieces varied in length and some of them were just. just too long and it was a drag. it was a very comprehensive history too. and like, it's interesting to me to hear about the history of webster's dictionary and bilingual education and how lexicographers decide what words go into the dictionary (yall think your weird hobbies have hobbydrama? check out the dictionary editors sometime. they're worse than the barbershoppers. also, remind me to put my barbershop explainer post from tumblr here if i haven't already), but this book took me like two and a half weeks to read. which for me? is a LONG TIME. while i did learn a lot of things (and gained a holistic picture of english-as-assimilation and suchlike) i kind of wish i had read something else.
because i only ever come to post when i have something to complain about: man, i love my job, but i need a new job. my coworkers are great, i feel fulfilled by what i'm doing, i have a good relationship with upper management. my job is also part time, 10-6, and i work weekends. this makes it really really impossible for me to have a social life because A) i am constantly obsessing about money ($15/hr is great, and at 20 hours/week it is enough for me to pay my bills, but not really much else) and B) i am never free when anyone else is free. a good friend of mine is having a party at the beginning of november with people from our niche hobby who i'd really love to meet and i can't go because it's on a saturday and i can't get anyone to cover my shift. and that makes me really fucking sad, you know? these days i've just been feeling like such a child about everything, from not being able to drive to my personality to the fact that i don't have a "real job". and don't even get me started on everyone i know who's married/engaged/pregnant. and i apply for jobs and they all ghost me despite the fact that 80% of the time i'm totally qualified. i don't know. it's really upsetting.
and finally, more complaining: i have a choir concert next weekend (not barbershop). we're performing this piece called mass of the endangered which in theory is really cool. it's a traditional mass text retranslated to be about climate change and it's really beautiful music. it is unfortunately also some of the hardest music i've sung in my life, maybe THE hardest piece i've ever sung in my life, and i feel woefully unprepared and deeply stressed. i hate holiday concert season but also i'm ready for this to be over so we can sing the godawful christmas songs already.
because i only ever come to post when i have something to complain about: man, i love my job, but i need a new job. my coworkers are great, i feel fulfilled by what i'm doing, i have a good relationship with upper management. my job is also part time, 10-6, and i work weekends. this makes it really really impossible for me to have a social life because A) i am constantly obsessing about money ($15/hr is great, and at 20 hours/week it is enough for me to pay my bills, but not really much else) and B) i am never free when anyone else is free. a good friend of mine is having a party at the beginning of november with people from our niche hobby who i'd really love to meet and i can't go because it's on a saturday and i can't get anyone to cover my shift. and that makes me really fucking sad, you know? these days i've just been feeling like such a child about everything, from not being able to drive to my personality to the fact that i don't have a "real job". and don't even get me started on everyone i know who's married/engaged/pregnant. and i apply for jobs and they all ghost me despite the fact that 80% of the time i'm totally qualified. i don't know. it's really upsetting.
and finally, more complaining: i have a choir concert next weekend (not barbershop). we're performing this piece called mass of the endangered which in theory is really cool. it's a traditional mass text retranslated to be about climate change and it's really beautiful music. it is unfortunately also some of the hardest music i've sung in my life, maybe THE hardest piece i've ever sung in my life, and i feel woefully unprepared and deeply stressed. i hate holiday concert season but also i'm ready for this to be over so we can sing the godawful christmas songs already.
