Sonomas

Magritte, René (1898-1967) © ARS, NY
La Victoire. (c) COPYRIGHT ARS, NY.
Location :Private Collection
Photo Credit : Herscovici / Art Resource, NY

My Illustrious Fellow Bloggers: I've been putting this last entry off for a while because endings are not my favorite thing to do. Hence the door picture. We all know the good old saying about 'when one door closes, another one opens.' At the risk of being beating the proverbial cliche to death, I thought it was a fitting image, especially since it's so dream-like. In our case, as another door opens, a dream-cloud comes through!

Looking back over these past 2 semesters, this has been quite a journey. When I first realized that I was in class with 10 brainiacs, I almost dropped out. That conference table really threw me as I realized there was no place to hide! Those oral presentations threatened to do me in! But like all of us, I survived. And I learned a lot about dreams and literature from the readings, and from each of you. Thanks to my various groups for all of your help and support.

The papers and web pages were an inspiration, as well as the presentations up on that stage. It was great to see everyone all gussied up. We all learned something about one another that day, contributing the growing respect level. It was great to see the work of the day class as we all participated as a group. I have learned alot about myself, what stops me from excelling, where my weaknesses are, and more importantly where my strengths are.

I apologize for not sharing my good news about being the Valedictorian of the ACE program. But I was truly honored to be picked, and my speech was the same night as our presentations! It certainly made it a lot easier to give. I used 'dreams' as my theme, and mentioned the work our class has been doing under the helm of PT.

Best of luck to each and every one of you in your endeavors. I am truly proud to count myself one amongst you all. Thank you professor for all of your help and support along the way. When you write that book, let us know.

Interestingly enough, I'm going to miss blogging which I didn't think possible. Looking forward to seeing you all at the party, and at graduation. You all have my email address, feel free to keep in touch fellow Dreamers . . .

Okay, so it's a well-known fact that I have a very difficult time remembering my dreams, or even have any worth remembering lately. I did notice that after our class presentation, I began remembering more of them. But they were still in fragments.

In one of them I was at the beach (again), at sort of a party (again) at which I found out that my sister was having lunch on a regular basis with a friend of mine I no longer talk to. In real life, that isn't possible, but obviously its on my mind. One thing about dreams, they will deal with my issues whether I want to or not -- possibly the real function of dreaming? Who knows.

It's amazing that the conference is almost finally upon us. All the tests have been taken, all the papers have been written, and the web site has been built. This is truly our last hurrah (besides the party!). After listening to so many presentations being read last week in class, I have complete confidence that this will be a shining moment for our class. Under the guidance of Professor Tougaw, this event is sure to run smoothly. Can't wait to see how it looks with the visuals and the music to round things out. It makes me sad in a way because things are almost over. It will be really strange not to meet with our class every Tuesday evening, chattin' it up out in the hallway.

But enough sentiment, let's get ready to rumble!

Had a dream the other night with PT in it, which I guess is bound to happen sooner or later :)

I only remember a fragment of it. PT was holding this certificate, almost like a degree, but it had writing on it that was completely unrelated to the class. I kept trying to explain to him that the writing was incorrect, but he couldn't understand me. Unfortunately, can't remember what the writing was about. Also, the size of the certificate was much larger than normal, almost like the size of those Lotto checks people are given after they win a really big prize. Wouldn't that be great?

wow. last night i actually had several dreams and woke up in a really good mood, which hasn't happened in a while. unfortunately, i can only remember one of the dreams.

a friend that i shop with often and i went into this really upscale shoe store. but instead of benches, there were narrow beds to sit on. the displays were built up around the beds so you could see the shoes while you were sitting (or laying down). there were men and women sitting around talking. the store also sold high-end pocketbooks. as i was browsing the bags, my friend suddenly plopped down on the bed, disgusted. she yelled across the room, "why don't you tell me to close my pocketbook instead of letting me buy another one!" everyone stopped talking.

Kahlo, Frida (1907-1954) © Banco de Mexico Trust. Sin Esperanza (Without Hopes), 1945. Location :Fundacion Dolores Olmedo, Mexico City, D.F., Mexico. Photo Credit : Schalkwijk / Art Resource, NY

Frida keeps showing up in the blogs. Her dreamlike qualities speak volumes. The sun is burning bright on one side, and the moon shines on the other, almost like a reflection of the 2 seasons of our honors class. This picture also seems angry, which reflects my own stress level. Realize I don't want to write how I really feel, cause right this moment, it seems pretty negative.

Despite waking up at 5 a.m. in a overload-related panic, I am going to try very hard to keep a sense of humor about this stuff. Notice I would now rather just blog than work on my web page. The fact that people can see our pages as they're being worked on is strange. But I do enjoy looking at the choices that others have made with regard to their designs and color choices. Love that stuff. Haven't read them too closely because I realize people are still working on them too.

Been thinking about the awards for the bloggies. We need categories, right? Think we should weigh in on ideas.

Obvious ones:

Best dream
Craziest dreams
Worst dream
Most intense dream

How will we decide who wins? or better yet who? will we form a bloggie committee?

One thing I enjoy about writing these blogs is that they are a relief from having to be precise and correct about how you say things.

That said, I decided to write about the movie Brazil despite the fact that due to time constraints, we haven't seen it. Went on the web, and looked at some stills from the movie. It definitely looks like a good dream movie, and fits in with our theme. On my to do list for the summer, which mostly has 'go to the beach' on it (WITHOUT a book), will add 'rent this movie.'

While searching the web, I also tripped over another movie entitled Open Your Eyes starring Penelope Cruz and Eduardo Noriega made in 1997. It apparently uses the dream technique as a vehicle after the handsome dashing man has an accident that disfigures his face. Has anyone seen this movie? Worth a rental?

Notice that I'm falling behind on my dream blog due to the fact that as the semester draws to a close, and the work piles up, I have no memory of even a dream fragment, let alone a cohesive one. (Hope that's not a run-on sentence :) Even when I do get enough sleep, which is rare these days, the dream machine seems to be turned completely off.

All of us are in the same boat crunch-wise. There are papers due, books to be read, websites to be updated and conferences to be put on.

Wait, I think I hear the graduation song playing in the background! Dream on marching soldiers, we're almost there!

Despite my resistance, I have really come to like this blog, and look forward to reading all of your entries.

I can't say I was so happy to begin the web project. With my usual resistance, I began to hack my paper down trying to put it in categories. Realized it was like cutting up my kid! After all of that hard work, sweat and late late late (did I mention late?) nights up reading and writing. It is much easier to pare down than to scare up the words. Or is it?

The idea of going public with what was somewhat a private paper gives me a quesy feeling in my stomach. But the idea of putting images and links with the paper is pretty cool. Plus I am looking forward to reading your ideas and checking out the visuals from others.

And we are almost Home Freeeeeeeee

it's funny, but i can't remember the content of my dreams the past two nights.
but
what struck me about the dreams is that they were in black & white. i usually dream in color. what about you -- do you dream in color, or in black and white?

what was also interesting is that they occurred in a very ordered pattern. when i woke up, i remembered images on a letter sized page like photos -- very neat, very ordered.
i also remember having a very similar dream the night before.
no content though. also woke up happy which sometimes seems directly associated with a dream i've been having, although unremembered.
(plus i was excited to have something interesting dream-wise to write about).

[Mosaic mask (detail). Carved stone w/turquoise, coral and stone inlay. Teotihuacan Culture, Classical period. Art Resource]

Continue reading "Anonymity" »

Touchdown!

Continue reading "Honors Exam rEflection" »

get the cattle prod out. frankly, i don't even want to write about the test anymore. i think about it all the time, i wake up at 4:30 in the morning in a panic. study study study study.

i'd really rather think about the vacation i'd like to take after graduation. or the pina colada i would like to be drinking sitting by the beach under a palm tree on a sunny day. or the thought of coming home from work with no books sitting on the table begging me to to read them. you get the idea. this time next year this will all be but a distant memory. . .

back to the books!

I dreamt that I was at another party (seems to be my recurring theme). I walked out to the balcony because I heard the voice of my ex. The setting was rustic, sort of a balcony out in the woods, but on ground level. There was no one there but a little short guy, really short, like 4' tall short. (In real life my ex is 6'3"). He was wearing a long coat and a hat. But when he spoke, he sounded like my ex. Then I realized he WAS my ex although he looked nothing like him. I walked down to the next level so that we could see eye to eye. As he was speaking, I realized I didn't really like him anyway. In my dream I remember feeling sad at this realization.

would love to write a witty dream i had last night, but am just plumb out. but after searching through our blogs, don't seem to be alone. everyone seems concerned with the upcoming test and that seems reflected in our dreams or the lack of them.

trying to see the humor. could use a good belly laugh right about now. anyone have any good jokes? please don't send it in the form of a poem...

Stumbled over this website which has some interesting quotes (not only about dreams):

Some informal categories:

sanity (or the lack thereof):

"Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives." William Dement

"I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that lunatics imagine when awake." Rene Descartes, "Meditations on First Philosophy"

Continue reading "Dream Quotations" »

Well, practice exam #1 down, with 1 to go before the BIG ONE. Although I was anxious about the test, taking it was helpful. It allowed us to see what type of quotes will be on the exam. It also exposes the holes in my knowledge which I will hopefully be able to shore up quickly with the help of the study guides, lots o' coffee, my fellow classmates and PT.

It was interesting to see where I guessed and how close or far off the mark I was. It's also good to see that you can compensate for not knowing the exact author by pinning down hallmarks of the period, or the formal elements of the piece.

So troops, it's onward and upward! Happy studying!

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Native American Literature Overview

Like American literature itself, Native American literature has morphed from one form to another. In its beginnings, this literature consisted primarily of oral traditions that had been handed down from one generation to the next. Due to language barriers, these stories were recorded by primarily by European Americans and anthropologists and were subject to misinterpretation and cultural mistranslations. Treaty accounts and speeches reflect native displacement from their lands. After 1820, literature began to reflect the struggle to survive in the form of autobiography, but are still being recorded by outsiders. Chants and ghost songs, forms of religious and ceremonial observances are being recorded. Important works like Black Elk Speaks preserve aspects of tribal histories and a way of life that is dying. In 1968, N. Scott Momaday writes House Made of Dawn, staking claim to the Native American experience. Writing in his own voice, he ushers in an era of writers telling various stories that reflect their point of view. Native Americans begin taking control of their own literature, giving voice to their relevant historical, cultural and gendered experiences.

til 1820

Native American traditions were not recorded before the nineteenth century due to language differences and cultural misunderstandings. During this time, Native Americans began to collaborate with anthropologists and writers about their myths and traditions.

Continue reading "Native American Literature overview --*UPDATED 3/12*" »

Well, son, I’ll tell you
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair

Continue reading "Mother to Son, Langston Hughes" »