| Spanish Documents |
[Sep. 10th, 2009|12:23 pm] |
I'm apparently doing well with my Spanish documents, as the professor I'm working with talks about the possibility of going to Mexico and doing some archival work and consistently makes sure I'd be interested. I've never managed to say anything aside from "That'd be awesome" and grinning like an idiot. The Department Chair just asked if I might be up for going to Spain, but warned me not to hold my breath for waiting on that big pile of money.
And this is the part of grad school I'm a week behind in! Hafta work on that... |
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| One year down and still excited for more! |
[May. 5th, 2009|05:09 pm] |
By working cheerfully hard in most of my classes, and knowing how to work in all of 'em, I managed a nearly-perfect GPA for the year. I seem to have impressed the awesome new-ish professor that's doing exciting things related to Spanish Pensacola-- looking at early exploration (1559-1561) up to were they ended up after 1763. I'm interested in the period, too, so did lotsa small-ish projects along those lines. I also have work study, meaning I'll essentially be working about half-time for free tuition and a little bit more money.
A number of people have asked me “what’s grad school like?” or even just “what’s the latest?” which at this point amounts to the same thing. I told my boss more than once some variation of "Sorry, I can't come into work next Friday, hafta go to a lecture," soon leading to the response: “Dang profs, thinking you have no life outside of school!” I blinked at that, and blurted out "Well, I really don't." I was amused, but no one else laughed. Sadly, my thought at the time was "That probably would've killed with most of my friends."
Funnier, though, is that I drunkenly offered to semi-translate something for a friend that someone else found in the Spanish archives. I only remembered the offer after he reminded me, but gave it a look, realizing it wasn't a transcription so much as very polished notes, with abbreviations, English, and misspellings that may or may not be in the original. While talking with the above professor, I mentioned I was glancing at it and blurted something along the lines of "It's not a very good transcription." A third party would have thought the reactions hilarious: he made a face of I guess restrained amusement which I picked up on and tried to restrain embarrassment. Of course he had transcribed it! "What was wrong with it?" he barely grinned, but enough for my response to be "Crap, you transcribed it, didn't you?" A little laugh answered me, so I explained the problems with it-- "Yeah, I made notes about some interesting documents like that during my last few days there." I'm sure that'll be a joke forever, but at least he still likes my work. |
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| Obligatory New Year/Old Semester Post |
[Jan. 4th, 2009|01:20 am] |
A semester in grad school made me even more of an archy-nerd. I’ve always looked around used book stores for out of print archaeology books, where $50 buys you almost everything you want combined, unlike..say...every college bookstore...ever. But I realized just how bad it’s gotten: this Christmas, I was more excited about the shit-ton of books I got than the iPod. Kinda wrong, but to be fair, the books combined are worth more. ( A rather long list... )
The total of books I didn’t pay for over the past four months comes to between 110 and 120, counting duplicates. If I were a used book dealer, would that make me a pimp or a whore?
I also burned maybe a dozen DVDs, pretty much a low for me. I think that’ll be a New Year’s Resolution! To my credit, I did download plenty of TV. Also, since I managed two Star Wars references where none would have sufficed, here's a somewhat related video demonstrating the nonexistence of geek restraint.
In other news, on Tuesday I’m sharing a 20 hour drive to Toronto, where the Society for Historical Archaeology meeting will give me a chance to drink archaeological theory, methods, and results with the best of them. That following Tuesday will lead to classes and digging! |
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| One semester down, 5+ to go |
[Dec. 13th, 2008|12:15 pm] |
My first of 4 semesters of courses at the University of West Florida has reaffirmed my desire to dig and interpret stuff for the rest of my life. The workload itself was less than my hell semester at Beloit, in part because I had to take an undergrad class as a pre-requisite and didn't put the extra effort to make an A in that class-- I didn't like it and the grade I don't think counts. A class that was basically devoted to the federal laws of archaeology was as boring as it sounds, but some of the assignments made it more interesting, though were just as frustrating as tests consisting of "what's this law and why do we care."
My favorite class, Spanish Florida, related to what I want to do for next couple of years, and introduced next semester: Historic Methods, Colonial American History, and Historical Archaeology. Putting enough effort next semester through assignments toward thesis-related ideas would make sure I graduate in 3 rather than 4 years, obviously saving a good amount of time and money. I'll also hopefully be able to translate original Spanish documents no one has published about, as my advisor/main professor is regarded as among the best ever at that sort of archival work.
As for a thesis, so far all I'll either be looking at how Mexicans changed (and didn't) when they went to the hellhole that was then Pensacola, or looking at interactions and other aspects of Pensacola's Native American missions. Both of these have just the right status of precedent/ "no one's done this before" as well as very enthusiastic support from my professors. I'm leaning toward the missions, where the Spanish invited the Apalachee and Yamasee Native Americans to live and serve as a militia sort of buffer and warning system against tribes allied with the British. Trade between the mission tribes and the Creek (generally British aligned), as well as with the Spanish, would be particularly interesting. This idea will be much easier to do, as this summer's fieldschool will hopefully find the missions. Looking at Mexican culture would pretty much involve lab work in Mexico, and would be more impressive and difficult for largely that reason and the lack of precedent at looking at the Mexican side of things. If the economy degenerates to the point I want to hide in Mexico for awhile, I might do that, as a PhD candidate from Arizona State will probably continue her work there anyway. More likely, I'll save it for a dissertation, as she did-- the project probably won't go anywhere.
Whatever I decide, the whole point of grad school is to contribute to academic understanding and go to bars and talk about theories and results. Obviously, not in that order, as you need the discussions to contribute. In other words, I'm a big nerd, but am fortunately in the company of fellow fans of beer and archaeology. Life is good. |
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| Grad School |
[Oct. 2nd, 2008|09:58 pm] |
I'm in the middle of my first semester at West Florida doing anthropology/historical archaeology, separate but integrated tracks. It's basically amazing. The department's rather large but friendly, with really great professors, particularly in archaeology. Funding isn't nearly as much of an issue as I feared, several department, college, and university grants fund research and conferences. I picked up a cool job interpreting historic downtown, complete with costume (no first-person character, sorry Ansel) and down-time. A scholarship of roughly half a semester's tuition showed up in my account, meaning my car suddenly is full of gas and fridge full of Mexican food. I should also be able to make it to a conference or two each semester.
( Read more... ) |
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| And everything was going so well... |
[Aug. 7th, 2008|10:32 pm] |
Today I managed to get up early and get some coffee before heading to work. The day threatened to be hot before clouds came in and granted us gloriously breezy and cool weather as we dug. My boss brought me siz pack of my favorite cheap beer for finding a rare Washington-era ceramic about a week ago. I spent a full $4 at Salvation Army, on a Marvin Harris book, a fun book, a cool coffee mug, and a great ceramic plate I can use to prank a coworker. Then I hear tomorrow and Saturday will be really fun days to work.
Then I call family I was planning on visiting this weekend, only to find out they're out of town until Tuesday. I go to a friend's house where a bunch of us watch a movie, only to come outside and find it towed! Towed! Before 10 PM, in an enormous and half-empty parking lot, by an office that closed at 5. Thanks to google, I figure out which company tows that area, bringing to mind both a great advertising campaign and the fact I'ma lose $65. Though I did find out that I can still capably swear and be sarcastic for quite a while without significant repetition, thanks to my use of a variety of age-appropriate levels and languages. I'm sure you can guess a few of my favorites. Thankfully, my friends here gave me a lift home and will help me out tomorrow, too.
In other news, I'm excited to be heading home a week from tomorrow to start grad school on the 25. |
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| Archaeology blog |
[Jul. 30th, 2008|04:54 pm] |
Every now and then I get the urge to write, as it helps me to flesh out ideas and make connections. Unfortunately, I rarely have both the time and the inclination. Working at Ferry Farm has given me a bit to think and write about, ranging from typical "dig diary" sort of stuff some people might be curious about (Another Washington figurine piece today!) to jokes (What's the difference between a career in archaeology and a large pizza? A large pizza can feed a family of four). I enjoy skimming accounts from other field schools, and I've my share of fieldwork to rant and rave about.
I've also found a number of archaeology mailing lists. Compiling the interesting discussions, articles, semi-available/published literature, and reviews would both make things easier and be good practice for grad school.
I may or may not get started this week, but I only have a few weekends left in Virginia and would like to do some more traveling. Comments? Suggestions? Jokes? |
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| George Washington |
[Jun. 28th, 2008|02:57 pm] |
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I'm trying to think through how to write about the site of George Washington's boyhood home, where I'm working for the summer. Long story short, I generally like both the work and the people, and talking to the public. Also, we talk about a few legends. |
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| Venture Brothers! |
[Jun. 15th, 2008|01:09 pm] |
Season 3 started without my knowledge-- the third episode airs tonight. I spent the late morning catching up, of course. Torrents of them go incredibly quickly.
2 of the 3 episodes are mostly flashback-driven, with some good jokes. Adult Swim Fix has the two most recent episodes.
Onion AV Club interview with Jackson Publick
I also love this image:
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| Beginning of Summer |
[Jun. 5th, 2008|07:46 pm] |
I haven't posted in awhile because relatively little has occurred. But now I've graduated, with a car and enough money that I can travel around, as well as an awesome job that leads up to grad school. Rather than migraines or stressful deadlines, I now only have to worry about which weekends are best to visit friends, the cheapest place to buy stuff, and the least offensive way to break a $100 bill. My biggest long-term task has shifted from big papers to finding the best place for wireless (great laptop, though with Vista) and coffee.
At George Washington's Ferry Farm , I'm working as a long-term field intern. It's hot work, all day, and not always easy. Whether it's the dehydration or the realizing I'm getting paid to do archaeology, every now and then I get giddy. I've worked there before, so I remember how awesome the gig and my bosses are. A friend that was there 3 years ago is back and other folks there are fun, too.
A large group of my family is meeting for the 4th of July, to celebrate my grandad's 90th birthday. I'm seeing lots of them for the first time in years-- one cousin graduates on Saturday. My oldest members aren't doing terribly well, which would be depressing if they let their health affect them. I'm trying to follow their example.
With any luck, I'll be getting a little funding to go to the University of West Florida to get a Master's in Historical Archaeology. Word on the street is that a meeting will be on Friday. Life is good. |
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| Acceptance! |
[Mar. 13th, 2008|08:38 pm] |
UMass Boston's Historical Archaeology program accepted me! Now to hope for monies from them, West Florida, and/or William and Mary.
Also, What Real-Life Dungeon Exploration Might Look Like is a funny look at combining archaeology with roleplaying:
May 16
We have nearly finished our initial survey of the outer flagstones of the dungeon entrance. Already we have made wonderful discoveries! Initial tests indicate that the stones may have come from an open pit quarry near the Elonges River, nearly two miles from here! Also, we were attacked by a Phantom Fungus and lost two more graduate students. |
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| Good times |
[Feb. 20th, 2008|05:37 pm] |
We'll see how the next few weeks go, but I'm optimistic. Dropping my hardest class allows for more free time, so I'll move past the coasting stage in my other classes. Feeling well enough helps, too, though I still refuse to enjoy mornings. I'm looking to leave a legacy in the Anthro department in the form of student coffee, mostly so my 9 AM might be engaging.
One less class means for Phi Psi. In addition to parties, I'm excited for our newfound Hi Times that always offers entertaining stress relief. I finally have time for regular frisbee, which is the best exercise ever. If I put serious effort, I'll be able to play all the time when the spring season comes.
Still waiting to hear from grad schools. April/March are the time for conferences, so I'll hopefully be able to go to the Society for American Archaeology meeting in a few weeks and the Midwest Mesoamerican Conference a few weeks later. Might possibly swing by others. Having 3 archaeologists and a museum curator helps-- at least of my current profs will go with me, so I won't miss quite as much.
Yay for optimism! |
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| Sickly |
[Jan. 29th, 2008|11:43 pm] |
Today's been a better day than usual: I managed to drive and walk a bit as well as get a good appetite going. Hopefully tomorrow I'll either feel the same, at which point I might head to an ENT, or I'll feel even better! I tend to get cocky and slip down again, so gotta avoid that.
Makeup work sucks, but sleep does not.
Oh, and Ellen: you and Jenny are amazing. |
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| The ending of Break |
[Jan. 10th, 2008|05:20 pm] |
Break's pretty much over, which means I'm soon off to the frigid for fun and frolic.
Naturally, I didn't accomplish much. I still have to polish up a personal statement, and actually apply to 3 schools. They seem particularly anxious for my credit card number and contact info, maybe just to snag that number in case of a mistake.
I made out like a bandit as far as fun stuff, ranging from coffee to cash to movies and books: The Onion's Our Dumb World, 3:10 to Yuma, Motorcycle Diaries, Serenity: Extended Edition, Bourne Ultimatum, The Departed, The Simpsons, and a few others. Also, nice clothes, computer speakers and archaeology books.
I rediscovered a few websites: Pointless Waste of Time, Real Life, and Something Awful combine well enough. Not only in title (Life- Really awful waste of pointless time? I dunno) but in content-- everything from stuff removed from KoToR 2 to grad school advice to (somewhat) informed and funny discussions of politics and current events.
I'm excited about going back-- classes, the fraternity, friends, and all of it-- and about driving up. I'll hopefully get to my grandparents in St. Louis in one piece and without a speeding ticket. Ever figure out which fast food place has the best coffee? I've figured McDonalds, which doesn't exactly offer Starbucks' Antigua with espresso... |
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| Merry Christmas! |
[Dec. 24th, 2007|05:38 pm] |
Hope everyone's enjoying the holiday! Or time off, if you're Jewish.
I managed to not see this for the two weeks it's been up:
Dead Like Me movie trailer
Dunno what Dead Like Me is? Then rent both of the short seasons, for your own good. |
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| At home, basically bored |
[Dec. 23rd, 2007|07:12 pm] |
Neurology appointments tend to go worse than visits to a general doctor, but Friday proved the exception, as I have a new doctor: a cheerful guy rather than a House wannabe. This Dr. House, wheelchair-ridden, seemed to overcompensate for his disability by being short with patients to try and get a shit-ton done. Or else he’s just ornery, maybe from an addiction to pain killers? That’d be too much like the character...
( Read more... )
As I have too much time, I really just don't wanna do anything. Almost too relaxing, really. Lately, I’ve been distracted mostly be gifts, reading, and pirating DVDs. Good Omens beats archaeology reading, though Kathleen Deagan, in an essay called “Archaeology and Understanding Early America” said something I thought amusing and true, when describing the accuracy of archaeology:
“Would you prefer to tell somebody how many beers you drank last week or have them search your garbage every day? Even if you did not mind telling them the truth, you probably would not remember it anyway.” Reminds me of drinking in Chile, where we’d save bottles to recycle and the maid made jokes about how quickly we drank the village’s liquor supply. Honestly, I don’t remember how fast it was. |
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| Winter |
[Dec. 20th, 2007|03:51 pm] |
Haven't updated in awhile, mostly because not much exciting has happened: "Classes are going okay, I'm glad for coffee, distracting video games/TV shows, and the few friends I get to see..."
I'm feeling confident about grad school, despite the fact I haven't exactly been prompt with deadlines. I'm a bit confident because I'm a pretty good candidate-- I've essentially been a whore for coursework and experience, giving me enough to have a real conversation with every potential advisor-type I've talked with. Nothing's better for the ego than unofficial advice about money! In addition to William & Mary, West Florida, and Illinois, which are done, I need to get stuff ready for UMass Boston and possibly Southern Illinois.
I got plenty out of this semester, not only good (great? we'll see) grades, but fun and enlightening work with ethnographies, museum education, and statistics, as well as teaching. In TAing two classes, I learned how a fun prof grades and lectures, and despite hiccups, it was fun. How can you not like a prof that tells the departmental assistant "If another person from Senior Sem comes to look for me, tell them I died" and starts to walk away before finishing with "If they cry, tell them I'm in the Java Joint."
Winter in Beloit sucks, but now I'm in Mobile, AL, where it froze for a night already and maybe will again this winter. Take that, Yanks! I might work, or maybe get that museum internship, but in the meantime I'm doing what I and most do best-- reading, eating, and sleeping. |
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| Cuernavaca |
[Aug. 10th, 2007|12:24 pm] |
The name of the city is Nahua (Aztec) for “Place near trees.” The beauty gets lost in the translation, I assure you. So did some of the trees.
One of my favorite sites, the post-Teotihuacan site of Xochicalco, is between half an hour to an hour away and well worth the drive. The journey between the two became more interesting than necessary, as I made the trek rather last minute, and thus relied upon somewhat poor information– no buses connected the two except during the morning. ( Read more... ) |
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| Tlaxcala |
[Aug. 10th, 2007|12:22 pm] |
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A bit of history, as, well, it’s extra-relevant. The pre-Hispanic Tlaxcalans were among the few real threats to the Aztecs (also the Toltec), and so Cortés requested an alliance. The Tlaxcalans, however, hadn’t gotten that way by being friendly, and rather beat the crap out of the Spanish for a little while before sparing them, even according to the Spaniards’ own accounts. Yet, they were suitably impressed, and felt Cortés would make a suitable tool/ally in taking over the Aztecs. The leaders of Tlaxcala willingly, perhaps blindly, converted to Christianity. His friends the leaders welcomed victorious Cortés after the conquest of the Aztecs? How did he reward them? He destroyed their city and temples, rebuilt ‘em Spanish-like, and continued on his little game. ( Read more... ) |
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