Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow

Dr. Solomon,

I have to be honest. I was never very good at keeping a diary. I would always start, write three entries, and then I'd forget about it. Sadly, that is what has happened this semester. Perhaps I had too much on my plate. Work, two other classes, and cheer-leading practice/games three to four days a week has sucked the life out of me and with it any chance at obtaining a decent grade on this blog. I hope that my other final products will help me in the end, and Dr. Solomon I'm truly sorry I couldn't keep up with this blog.

On the plus side I feel like keeping a research journal is a really great idea! When managed properly it is a great way to organize your thoughts, or just to show off something really cool that you have found. I hope that you continue to use these blogs throughout the classes that you teach. They really are a great reflective tool! I hope you have a great holiday!

-Deborah

"I Just Gagged!"

Like the commercial I just gagged from a brillant idea! Even though this has probably already been done I think that instead of a book club it would be fun to have a book club blog! That way more people from around the world could be involved! The moderator would just say, "This is the book we are reading this week and I will open the comment/discussion board this weekend." That way no one can comment until *hopefully* they are done reading. I really want to do something like that....

It has been too long! For SLIS 705 I need a research blog, and by using my little bloggie I am able to resurrect it once more!

For my research assignment I have decided that I would like to focus on book clubs. I have always been fascinated by them. In my family the only people I can talk to about books are my dad and my sister. My dad only reads adult fiction books and so it is hard to relate with him on what I read. My sister on the other hand reads some of the books that I do, but she doesn't ever really want to discuss them. That is why I think a book club is a perfect outlet for people like me who don't really have anyone to talk to about what they have read. And therefore I think that by researching book clubs I can better understand how people connect through books, and if it can help people to read more.

The Lady Miss GaGa!

I just had to say that Lady GaGa's performance at the VMA's Sunday night was pure and utter genius. You get it GaGa!

Greenville Guilty Ones

I have to say that I'm pretty excited because Pun emailed me to say that there will be a Greenville Guilty Ones team and I am on the list! This makes me so happy because I can't wait to get out there and advertise for my favorite show! So if anyone loves Spring Awakening and wants to be a part of the fun, email Pun at nationalguiltyones@gmail.com. You will need to include your name, age, and phone number. Please send it through your primary email address. I know that I can't wait!

Spring Awakening

Last week my life was made complete. I finally saw Spring Awakening. And the best part was that I got to sit onstage! I can't really tell you anything specific about the show. Honestly it was all a blur of great singing, lights, and pure excitement. I was literally shaking in my seat, and after the first act I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest.

Rewind to last year when James and I saw Rent. During intermission I turned to him and said, "You know I would give anything to be down there on that stage. Even if I was just sweeping the floors." Fast forward to last Wednesday and there I was, onstage, at my favorite show. When Francine, our usher, told us that we were now a part of the scenery I couldn't help but smile because one of my dreams had finally come true. During the show I can't remember focusing on much. I did watch Matt Shingledecker a lot because he's from South Carolina and in my mind I was, "Woot, woot, woo-ing" for him. Same goes for the amazingly talented Claire Sparks. Steffi D also stood out in my mind. After the show I couldn't help telling her how much I loved her "fierce" foot stomp during the Mama Who Bore Me reprise.

The stage door was another experience entirely. In the past when I have gone to the stage door I felt very rushed. At the SA stage door I didn't feel that way at all. Everyone really took the time to sign things, and talk. The one memory that I know I will take away from the stage door is when I gave my Matt his South Carolina present. At first he thanked me, and then we said our good byes. But after he opened the gift and came back over to thank me again I felt like I was going to cry. He said it was the best gift he'd ever gotten, and it made me really happy that I had made him happy. He truly is one of the most gracious and amazing person I have ever met. He really took the time out to talk to me and the group I was with. Claire Sparks was also very gracious when I went over to talk to her and apologize for not bringing her a SC gift. She understood completely and then she and I had a talk about college and me becoming a librarian. High fives to Claire's parents for being librarians! :)

In all the whole experience was amazing, and worth the eight hour drive to DC. I cannot wait until the shows comes to Greenville so that I can go every night. Hopefully we'll also have a Guilty Ones team and I can help head that up. Until then I wish the entire cast of Spring Awakening amazing shows and safe travels!

Treasure Quest

So I know I have my degree in early childhood education, but I really feel like looking for deep sea treasure should be my alternate calling. After watching four hours of "Treasure Quest" being on the Explorer Odyssey seems like a pretty sweet job to me! Especially if I found half a billion dollars worth of coins!