10 March 2010
Today in class we viewed the film A Raisin in the Sun. The title of this film is taken from Langston Hughes’ poem Harlem. This marks the fourth time this poem has, in some way, appeared in college classes I’ve taken. Last semester, for example, the poem appeared in a book of texts the professor had scanned (poorly) and collected into a spiral book I had to buy. I dropped that class, partially due to the soul-crushing boredom of the contents of that book (and “soul-crushingly boring” is the term I used to describe it to my advisor), and I let Owen cut the book into hundreds of scraps. But I tore out the page with Hughes’ poem in it, so as to keep a copy for myself.
I think I know why so many classes employ this poem: it’s one of the only truly great poems in the world.
11 March 2010
Today one of my co-workers quit. Well, I suppose she actually quit a couple of weeks ago, but today was her last day. She’d been with the company longer than I, and I always enjoyed working with her. It’s too bad when a likable co-worker leaves the company, because you just never know what sort of replacement you’re gonna get.
A box arrived in the mail today. Owen loves when large packages arrive, not only because it means he gets to open TWO mailboxes, but because he then gets to spend about a half hour trying to open the box. He was momentarily ecstatic when he finally opened the box, because he thought it was a present for him. I pointed out that no, the blanket was a gift for the new baby. Then he wasn’t so thrilled anymore. I think this was the first time it dawned on him that Grandma might send us gifts that are not for Owen.
At any rate: Thanks Mom! The blanket marks the first gift baby #2 has ever received.
12 March 2010
Just as I was getting in to work this morning, I realized I had neglected to give Owen a kiss good-bye. I guess that’s not such a big deal, as I usually don’t say good-bye to him in the morning. But today, he’s going to stay the night at his Grandparents house, so I won’t see him all day. Today marks, I believe, only the second time I’ve gone a whole day without being with him.
Jennifer and I went to see the The Lovely Bones this evening. I saw it for my class. We’re gonna be reading the novel in class in a few weeks, and the professor strongly encouraged us to see the film version. Here’s to hoping the book is better…