If I haven’t told you already (either in person or via Facebook,) I’ve been working recently on building a new site called “Eve is My Hero.” I’ve been asked at least one question several thousand times, and since this is my official statement of that site’s launch I’ve decided to discuss the issue somewhat briefly; after all, if talking about these kinds of issues doesn’t constitute “Stirring Wind,” what does? Beyond just the question I’ve been asked to death, I’ve tossed off a couple of extras that I anticipate being asked at some point in the near future. These questions are as follows:

1. Are you a Feminist? Why?
2. Why Eve? Are you trying to piss people off?
3. Do you still have a penis or have you been de-manified?

Let’s start with the last question first, just for giggles: Yes, I still possess, err, male parts, and on the contrary I’d argue that taking the issue of Liberty seriously to mind and heart is the very essence of manishness (or manism, or manliness, or whatever you prefer.)

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Thanks, Greg, for the link. I’ll expect to sit next to you on the bus to Hell .

Hot Girls and Video Games

I delved into my new Psychology class today, and though like most first days of class it was made up primarily of listening to course descriptions and expectations, I got a very good sense that this is a class I can handle without breaking myself in half. That’s not to say I expect it to be a cakewalk–far from it–but I do feel suddenly more confident that I can make it through this and earn an A in the process.

Perhaps the only oddness I’ve discovered is in the formatting requirements presented by my professor for all documents to be submitted. I’d expected the standard MLA formatting, but instead she’s asked for something a bit different. In order to make sure I always remember, I’ve created a simple Microsoft Word template for all tasks to be performed in the class, which I’ll attach to this post. If you happen to also be in Ms. Umali Kopp’s Honors Psychology class, I encourage you to snag this template and make life a little easier on yourself.

Template For Psych Assignments

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since I returned to college, and even harder to believe that in this period I’ve earned A’s in all but two classes, and those ended up with B’s (one of which was highway robbery, but that’s a tale for another time.) Where oh where was all this academic wherewithall when I was much younger? I suppose, at any rate, it’s better found late than never, so I won’t complain.

So it’s been a year of much success. I’ve learned mountains of new information, refined my viewpoint in more ways than I can count, and yes, changed my mind on a few things as a result of newer, clearer information and thinking. And contrary to what some believe, no, math is not where you learn to think (though it’s definitely a place where you can sharpen your thinking skills,) Philosophy is where you truly learn what thinking is and how to do it in a number of important ways.

I’ve had phenomenal experiences all year with the student government (ASG, Associated Student Government,) with which I continue to be involved, and with the many dedicated, intelligent students who work so hard to make themselves and their world a better place. Truly, this is a place to be inspired.

And so I begin this new semester with an obscene course load (23 units across 7 classes,) which at first had me terrified but now has me convinced of something unexpected:

I can do this. And so can you.

Source. Joss Whedon, one of my favorite TV writers and directors, is officially directing the Avengers movie. Although I’ve never so much as picked up an Avenger’s comic, I know it’s basically about the team up of various Marvel Comics characters including Iron Man, Captain America and others. Whether this will end up good or not remains to be seen, but I can’t think of another writer who’s as good as delivering for an ensemble cast of characters who are all strong in their own ways.

Most interesting is that, “Whedon did reveal that he is currently writing an outline for the film, and is excited to helm the project to explore the “family aspect” of this unique pairing of superheroes.” I’d agree that the most interesting aspect of any group is the dynamic of various types of characters, but what I wonder about this statement is, does this mean he’s also writing the film? If so…we could be in for an especially awesome treat.

Update: I’ve added French 101 to the mix, putting me up to a frighteningly high 23 units for the semester.

Good. Effing. god.

Halfway through the summer session in which I study rocks as if they were interesting (actually, they’re a little interesting,) it’s time to register for fall’s courses.

Goddammit. Curse you, registration. So many classes I want, so little time to take them all! I’ve still got two I want to add and I’m already up to 18 units. Curse you, time!

So far, here’s what my fall semester is looking like:

Psychology 100 Honors–I’ve been eagerly looking forward to the Psychology class since I started back to school a year ago, and I look forward to the additional light it should shed on all the fantastic things I studied in Philosophy and in Women’s Studies.

Political Science 101 Honors–As with Psychology, I’ve been excited about this class since returning to school, and expect for its new information and perspectives to fit nicely into the sum of all I’ve studied and learned so far. Also, with the completion of these two honors courses, I’ll have completed the entire Honors Program in just three semesters. Nice. They better give me one of those fancy “President’s Scholar” medals.

Intermediate Screenwriting 121–I really enjoyed my introductory screenwriting course, and look forward to this. With any luck they’ll let me add the advanced right on top of it since they take place on the same night and use the same book and assignments, just with different grading criteria.

Mass Media & Society 105–I’m interested in the effects of mass media on culture, particularly the ways in which I can abuse that power to further my plans for world domination. It will be mine, oh yes–it will be mine.

English 270-Children’s Literature–I’m taking this even if I have to kill other students to get it. It’s only offered once a year, and I didn’t know that when I started last year or I’d have taken it then. Except that it had a prereq that I hadn’t completed. But still! I’d have taken it. Dammit. This is the class that will enable me to write the next Harry Potter-esque series (thus furthering my plans for *ahem* world domination.)

English 271-Survey of World Literature from the beginning of motherfucking TIME until 1650–OK, so I embellished the title of the class a bit. Either way, it’s taught by my favorite English professor of all time, which makes it worth taking. Shame it’s not Honors, though…Honors classes are easier for me.

French 101–So I realized I need a couple of language classes, and with two semesters left to go…well obviously I gotta start somewhere. Since I had French in high school (8,000 years ago) with the best french teacher in the universe, I expect this to be a relative cakewalk.

With any luck I’ll also be able to add Math 105–Math for Liberal Arts Students (AKA “Math for dummies”,) but that’s contingent upon my ability to place well in the placement exam. Which I have yet to schedule. I’d better hurry.

On the whole I’m pleased with my lineup except for one thing: I wanted some additional courses in Women’s Studies, but there aren’t any. How lame is that? Damn lame, my friends. Damn lame.

The last of the research papers are done, the grades are in, and things are looking pretty decent. Though I didn’t manage to keep my 4.0, sadly–out of my 5 classes and 17 units I sustained the injury of a single B in my pile of A’s–I can’t help but feel generally pleased at the way things have gone so far. My first year back at college is finished; I’ve completed two sections of my IGETC certification; made some choices about where I’d like to transfer, if possible; met numerous new friends and forged new relationships with instructors and fellow students; participated in student government (ASG) and enjoyed the experience immensely; most importantly of all, I’ve learned a great deal.

This semester was very tough, largely as a result of my own doing, of course. Opting into three major English courses, plus a Women’s Studies course, with Film History tacked on for good measure, was at once deeply thought provoking and rewarding, yet also terrifying for the mountain of work it represented, especially in reading and interpreting so much of both literature and nonfiction. I’ve found myself at alternating times bored, enthralled, laughing, furious, and even weeping (or in the modern vernacular, ‘cryin’ like a biznatch’) from the often beautiful, sometimes horrible works I’ve read. I’ll share a bit of these experiences with you via quick class overviews after the break.

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My advice is this: Don’t even ask how or why, because those are answers I don’t have. At all. Just know this: I was tasked with writing a 200 word short essay in response to a prompt for a scholarship application, and somehow I got halfway through writing it before realizing that what I’d written was, in fact, a poem. Deciding to run with the idea I was even more surprised when it turned out that my very first draft ended up at precisely 200 words. And thus, there was no second draft, for better or worse.

You can check it out at Poetic Hell.

First things first: I have re-launched Poetic Hell, the poetry website I started-and promptly abandoned-last year. In fairness, it lay neglected primarily because just a few months after launching it I went back to school full time, which by and large swallowed the majority of my free time. However, it was also school that catalyzed its recent rebirth when a creative response project in my Survey of World Literature class demanded something, well, creative. In response. To some…literary stuff.

Anyway, the point is just this: the site is back, and has now been updated not just with a sexy new look (though it has that too) but with a couple of snazzy new poems as well, written by yours truly. That would be me, in case you’re wondering (stop wondering.) Go look. Read stuff. Have fun.

Oh, and if a) I know you, and b) you also happen to write bad poetry, please feel free to register on the site and I’ll be happy to add you to the list of authors who share their hellish visions with the rest of this deranged, oblate spheroid we call Earth.

I’ve finally finished watching the Series Finale of Lost, and after thinking on it for a bit, have posted my thoughts in an article over at All That Nerdy Stuff. Check it out and share your thoughts!