Happy Harry Potter Day

No spoilers here, just an awesome fanvid from YouTube.

Sometimes the things you love come together in the most unexpected ways:

I will return later with more on this subject.

Accidental Literary Pilgrimage

I thought that my night in Carlisle, PA would be spent solely in the Ramada, but I decided to wander out for a couple different reasons. The job I just finished has a site there, and they have Fiction Writing class. In the last week of teaching I decided that I must teach that class next year. One of the other classes was working on short stories, and though I was not unhappy with the work my class was doing, I was filled with seething jealousy.

But that is not the point. The point is that I was driving down the street and caught a glimpse of an historical marker. I thought I saw the words "Marianne Moore." I stopped the car and walked back. I was correct! It was Marianne Moore's house. She lived there for about twenty years before she was superfamous. Unfortunately, my camera batteries were dead, so I have no pictures. It was a blue and red row house. The family who lives there now had a little index card in the window (mere feet from the historical marker) to indicate that she had lived there.

A better blogger would do a little write-up of Marianne Moore. But I am lazy, so here is a link:

http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/96


Real toads in imaginary gardens!

Another Six-State Day

I began in Rhode Island, with stops in New London, CT; Bronx, NY; and Phillipsburg, NJ. I am now stationed at the Ramada Inn in Carlisle, PA.

I would like to congratulate New York and New Jersey on their excellent radio stations, which were essential to my survival. I thank Dunkin Donuts, Stop & Shop, and Panera Bread for providing nourishment.


I wish I had been able to spend a couple days in New York, but I will have to settle for listening to Hot 97 while crossing the George Washington Bridge. I think that driving through was the right choice. Here is why: I know one person from New Jersey. The whole time I was there, I truly believed I would see him at any moment. That sort of shows how dumb my brain is right now.


The last night in Bristol was full of hijinks and fun, which is the reason why my brain is dumb. I can't wait to get home and start looking for a job. Until then, I will be here in my hotel room, reading and watching episodes of 30 Rock online. Tomorrow is Carlisle to Indianapolis, with a possible stop in Columbus, Ohio.

Yay, Yay, Yay, Yay

I just typed in the last test scores required for my job. Just two more hours tomorrow, and I'm free. I will then pack and eat my first-ever lobster. AMEN!

Countdowns, Part II

See the previous post and subtract one from each number.

Multiply the sense of urgency times 10.

Countdowns

Days until the Harry Potter movie: -2 (gotta get on that!)
Days until this job is over: 2
Days until I'm in NYC: 3
Days until I'm home: +/- 7
Days until the Harry Potter finale: 10
Days until the Harry and the Potters show: 18 (Regina, get pumped!)
Days until I return to Tuscaloosa in a blaze of glory: +/- 20

Newport Beach

This is a picture of Newport Beach, RI. The water is red because of algae that grows out of control in the summer. It is called the red tide. The whole time we were there, I kept calling it the red death. What does that say about me? I suppose I am obligated to make a lame Crimson Tide joke. Wrong state, algae! You should be growing in Sweet Home Alabama!

I also went to the local brewery and got a half-gallon jug of beer called the growler.

Today was a landmark day for two reasons. I finally got to swim after class, and I played four square for the first time. I was okay at four square. I don't have the same amount of athleticism and bravery that the kids do.

Ships are Tall

Last weekend I wanted to go to the beach, but some other people wanted to go to the Tall Ships Festival. I thought that sounded lame, but I was wrong. I went on a ship from India, The Tarangini, and the most awesomeist ship in the world, The Gloria, which is from Colombia. There was one called the Alabama, which was closed by the time we got to it. There were also lots of sailors from many nations, all saluting each other, a testament to global harmony and seafaring solidarity. Oh, and Johnny Depp was there. NOT!

Happy Fourth!

I will be celebrating tomorrow at the nation's oldest Independence Day celebration. Maybe there will be photos, though nothing can top this: