As most of you probably know (I know how this sort of gossip spreads), today I was charged with the design and execution of a fall-themed bulletin board for our department. Presumably, our graduate students aren’t fully prepared for things like colorful leaves and piles of pumpkins and rely on this bulletin board for up-to-date news on the changing equinoxes. At least that’s what I told myself to make it seem as if the butt of today’s joke was not the twenty-two year old guy dutifully stapling clip art leaves into cork. It didn’t help that one of the professors walked by and laughingly observed, “Heh! bulletin board duty — must be the low man on the totem pole!” Well…yeah?
Realizing how obnoxiously self-pitying my thinking was, I came to the quick conclusion that if they want to pay me to print out clip art and affix it with hundreds of staples to cork, I am happy to oblige. Plus, there are several rewarding aspects of this job. I’ve quickly developed an affinity for several office creatures, first and foremost the old typewriter in back. I might write something about that thing sometime, if I can withstand the likely backlash from certain gnerds (what’s the opposite of “luddite?”) who will no doubt joke about my use of “Typewriter XP.” I also use the “Sign Here” labels at every chance.
I posted the third and final installment of pictures from Washington, DC. Homoerotics on Capitol Hill! Middle-fingerism! Steep angles!
Playing in the stereo the last few days: Mogwai / 4 Satin: stormy, ready-to-explode restraint + bonus guest vocals from Aiden Moffat! Bob Dylan / Blonde on Blonde: specifically “I Want You” and “Absolutely Sweet Marie.” Pinback / Some Voices.
