OctaviaButlerfan

Happygreengrass: Speculative fiction is my main area of interest as well. You may be interested to know, if you hadn't heard of it, that True History by Lucian, a Greek writer circa A.D. 120-185, is considered by some to be the first science fiction story and the first "gay science fiction story."

No no no no no.. I USED to think TNG was the best series of Star Trek. Then I watched the entire series of Deep Space Nine (ok; I have three episodes left to go). I still will always have a fond place in my heart for TNG, though.

Yeah.. I sort of feel the same way. I like my job, much of the time.. but I am tutoring for a grant funded program and get less than part-part-time (translation: fewer than 10 hours a week). I also really enjoy literary analysis, and innovative lesson planning, and I feel like right now there is no room for either in secondary education.

Okay, so, I noticed there is a rejection from MSU posted. I haven't received one yet. That means something good, right? Right?! I'm only half joking.

Well, I know it's not over 'till it's over.. and one of my programs doesn't typically notify until early/mid March.. but I am not feeling very confident right now.

All right.. someone put me out of my misery. Has anyone else heard from Indiana University-Bloomington Gender Studies? I know there was an acceptance about a week ago. Should I just give up on hearing anything?

Currently I'm reading Anzaldúa, Barbara Christian, Nellie McKay, and a couple of essays by Audre Lorde. I'm also in the middle of Psion by Joan D. Vinge. I started it on Kindle and am now eagerly awaiting the book in the mail.

NOT COOL. I just opened my inbox to see "University of Michigan" in the subject line .. only to realize it was a tax form for a donation to NPR. Why?

I suppose directing a women's center doesn't count, because it is usually an administrative position within a university? I don't know what options there actually are.. however, I am interested in (assuming that working as a professor doesn't work out, or after I retire) opening a not-for-profit cultural/community center.

Cool. How is being in a class with Rabkin?

I KNOW I want to go through another application cycle if this one doesn't pan out. I'll focus on getting more research experience and getting published. What I don't know is how I will do it.. I also don't know how I'm going to feel about trying to continue to find a full time job in this economy, especially knowing that I may only be there for a year.

I am mentoring a student currently applying to college.. here's the thing. A lot of students just HAVE NO IDEA. I know I didn't when I applied for college. I had no idea how attending a community college would affect me years later. I don't regret it, but I do sort of wish that I had known, or that someone had cared enough to tell me. Anyway, this girl that I'm mentoring has a nearly perfect GPA.. is going to be co-valedictorian.. and has taken tons of college classes as a dual enrolled student. She still needed assistance finding an internship and was really grateful when I took the time to share with her information about how the college she chooses now may later affect her prospects.

That's been my experience, anyway. If I mention Audre Lorde or Octavia Butler I get a blank stare.. at best, I've been told by people that they're not really familiar with Lorde's work (except for my M.A. mentor) or that they don't like science fiction. I was introduced to Jewelle Gomez's The Gilda Stories by a professor, though, so it's not all bad. I applied, yes, and it was a great fit as far as a potential POI.. though he's not in Gender Studies.. oh, well.

That's too bad. Most likely you'll meet more people with similar research interests at whatever program you choose. However, I've gotten the impression lately that any particular convergence of African American studies with another burgeoning field is somewhat unusual.. i.e. black queer studies, black speculative fiction, etc.. Maybe I'm wrong, though. Mind sharing how you received the IU acceptance?

I am.

I just want to hear SOMETHING.. I know my odds aren't good.

Congratulations!

Really? I've heard this.. but I've also heard that jobs in African American Studies and Women's Studies have better prospects (than they did, and in the market generally) right now. So is it just the interdisciplinary program to avoid? What about joint programs?

YES. I wished this at least a month ago. I have about six schools, in addition to two I'll be reapplying to if I'm not accepted, on my list for next year. A couple of them, I'm sad to say, have much better fit in terms of mentors and research interests. I'm not sure about the funding on one of those, though.

Now I'm reading Les Miserables. It's definitely not what I was expecting so far, but don't ruin it for me. I hate spoilers. Last night I finished Through the Eyes of My Mulatto Daughter.. It was a long, sleepless night.

Back in 2010, I got a rejection that was postmarked February 5. Now, of course, I am expecting to get a rejection or acceptance any day now (probably a rejection) even though I know it doesn't really work that way.

Let's see.. I just finished Bitter in the Mouth by Monique Truong. I think I'm reading Persepolis next. I'm considering reading Devil's Wake or Joplin's Ghost by Tananarive Due. I need to read something that isn't for school.

I have an out of print copy of Butler's Survivor. Since it is out of print and she is dead, it is worth a decent amount of money. I probably wouldn't have been able to justify buying it if I hadn't found it for a couple of bucks in a used book store. They had no idea.

I realize this is a bit off-topic, but where I currently attend for my M.A., fees and tuition are higher for graduate students. It is also much more difficult to get scholarships and financial aid.