Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Support Your Local Strippers
So, now for the pictures and stories NOT on Facebook...
Excited and ready, we hit the ground running. Bourbon street in the early evening. And the sun went down, things heated up. We started at the beginning and walked all the way down past the gay district (with was celebrating NOLA Pride weekend, more on that later) to Lafitte's bar.
On this adventure I had a hand grenade, hard cider, some shots of I don't know what, and a hurricane, which was basically just a giant shot! Needless to say, I was out of it.
We had food at a hole-in-the-wall grill in the gay district, and it was some of the best food we had the whole trip. We went three times.
I insisted on going into the Hustler store, hehe that was fun, and, of course, a strip club.
Lipstixx was the club of choice and it was actually fun! The strippers seem to love it when girls come in, especially when they are willing to participate. You know me, of course I was willing! They did all kinds of things! Put dollars in my lap and did headstands with their stuff in my face to get them, put dollars in between my breasts. You guys, strippers LOVE my breasts. They couldn't get enough of them! They didn't just take money for them, they did stuff without payment! Shook their heads between them, squeezed them, kissed them...it was crazy! They talked to me while they danced on stage, thanked me for supporting them, kissed me on the cheek when I left. And, that's not even the end! We went to another strip club on our last night...more on that in a minute.
So we went home, I was pretty wasted, and got up fairly early without a hangover. We set out on a walk in the French quarter, then to Emeril's NOLA for lunch. Very swanky, ridiculously good food. OMG. Then we walked to the French Market for a while, then Margaritaville, then back for a little rest. Then, out again! To the square and cathedral, Cafe Du Monde for dinner. Then the ghost tour! Always fun and educational. Of course, you know me, I knew more about the LaLaurie house already, but it was still fun. Of course, we stopped at Lafitte's and had infamous Voodoo daquiris. Yikes! Then the tour ended at the absinthe house, which is now legal as of 2007! Had to try...and did...yuck! But I drank it anyway for the experience. Needless to say, without meaning to, I was wasted again. But, apparently I'm not a terrible drunk, because we still went out for a yummy dinner. I started to get dizzy, so Brian insisted we go back. We did, and I don't remember much.
The next day, up early again! Walking walking walking. The riverwalk, the aquarium, Mulate's, which was too expensive, Walking walking walking, nap. Then up again, a quick bite, and the voodoo tour. That was a good tour for me. Learned a lot, and got a quartz necklace blessed by a practitioner at an altar, as well as some other voudou stuff.
Then, more food. And, finally, our last night on the town!
We discovered that Bourbon St. had lost it's charm after the first time. So, we walked around looking for something to do, feeling ready to quit. Then we hit the gay district. The gays know how to party! Their part of the street was the best part! Clean, fun, good drinks! So we partied with them for a while. It was like something out of Queer as Folk! GoGo dancers on the bar in their underwear, gay men and women, and straight women, dancing and drinking to thumping remixes of Cher and Britney, so much fun!
Then we walked down to find and ATM and thought, it's hot and nasty, let's settle somewhere. Where? A strip club!
It may have been the best time of the trip. It was more upscale than the first, the dancers were more talented and prettier. And they LOVED us! I'm not kidding! They hardly hustled us at all. ONE girl tried, and then that was it. Brian laughed his ass off at me, because I was flushed with embarrassment most of the time. They came at me all the time! They played with my boobs, asked me questions, one girl even took most of my top off and did all kinds of stuff to me, they all kept threatening to steal me from Brian, he was so proud! Even the waitress was asking me if my breasts were real, what size they were, telling me how adorable I was. They almost totally ignored Brian, it was so funny! They thanked me and kissed me and hugged me for coming and supporting them, we were there from 11pm to 4am! Towards the end, the "best personality" dancer pulled me up on stage! I oh so reluctantly go up. I could feel my face burning. Brian was smiling like "go!" So I crawled up there, laughing nervously and blushing like crazy! She danced with me, put dollars down my dress, danced around me, while I was trying not to fall over in laughter and embarrassment. Turns out, she wasn't supposed to do that, so the hostess asked us to stop, but with a smile on her face and very quietly so as not to embarrass anyone. The dancer laughed and kissed me and thanked me. People laughed and clapped.
We ended it on our favorite dancer (man was she talented!) and gave her the last of the ones we had, and got up. We said goodbye to the dancers, they were so sweet! As we did, the DJ gave an announcement. He thanked the "couple who just got up" for coming, said they really enjoyed having us, and that "they almost never really enjoy people but they enjoyed us."
As we left the club, Brian suddenly had to pee. He asked the bouncer if he could run in real quick. The bouncer said, "are you kidding? You got a standing ovation from the DJ and dancers, that NEVER happens!"
What a night. Brian is a straight man, and has been to more than his fair share of clubs, and he said he's NEVER had an experience like that. He was proud. And I got to live a little fantasy of mine! I got onstage at a strip club!
We ate at our favorite gay establishment again, and went back to the hotel, crawling in at about 6am. The next day we had a lot of time between checkout and flight. We tried some walking and shopping but were just ready to go home. We stayed in the lobby and while, then had some food, while Brian ran one last errand for me (my feet were hurting too much) I met a young Russian Jew who was there for a conference and she rode in the taxi with us. She was nice and we talked academics. Then we got to the airport, I read a trashy novel while Brian poked fun at me, and we went home!
Whew!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
OMG
Last Thursday a few classrooms on campus lost air conditioning. They said they were working on it.
Now the entire building is without air. Two days now. They moved my class downstairs where it is hopefully cooler, but we're dripping still. They say the air should be up and running later today, which does us no good because our class is in the morning. However, they're not even sure when the part they need is coming exactly, and whether it will help.
Who the hell are these repairmen?
Some teachers are canceling classes. Can I? No, of course not. The English department doesn't do things that way.
So I just struggle to keep my students' attention in the sweltering heat.
Lord knows I'm not keeping them the whole time. I'M not cruel.
K.Z.
Now the entire building is without air. Two days now. They moved my class downstairs where it is hopefully cooler, but we're dripping still. They say the air should be up and running later today, which does us no good because our class is in the morning. However, they're not even sure when the part they need is coming exactly, and whether it will help.
Who the hell are these repairmen?
Some teachers are canceling classes. Can I? No, of course not. The English department doesn't do things that way.
So I just struggle to keep my students' attention in the sweltering heat.
Lord knows I'm not keeping them the whole time. I'M not cruel.
K.Z.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Foot Tapping
I survived the very brief trip to South Texas for the anniversary. Can you believe my grandparents have been married 60 years?
I'm tired of driving.
The trip to New Orleans is coming up. Thursday. The week is going to be too slow. I'm sooo looking forward to it.
I'm tired of driving.
The trip to New Orleans is coming up. Thursday. The week is going to be too slow. I'm sooo looking forward to it.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Blank
Interesting weekend.
I've talked to a lot of people at UL. I've even met a girl who lives in the complex I'll be in. She's a newbie, too. Everyone is very friendly, offering help and advice, asking questions.
This weekend something pretty big happened. Brian and I reached a new place in our relationship, which is a real relationship now. Faced with only two choices for the future, stay together and try to survive long distance or split up. It was an emotional conversation, ending with a particular declaration.
I'm sure you know the one I'm referring to.
Given this, I decided to tell my mother the truth about how we met. I didn't tell her we met online. I was a little embarrassed about it at first, and afraid my mother might judge and thus not consider the relationship valid, or might be suspicious of him. I still have a hard time giving her much credit in judging others.
So I told her the truth. Told her I was sorry for lying, and why I lied. I haven't heard from her. She could be really upset, or not surprised because sometimes she seems to expect stuff like this from me (though when it happens it's usually because of her issues). Now, it's a waiting game. She may not respond at all. I don't know.
But I figured if Brian and I are at that point, it needs to be out in the open. Who knows when he'll meet my family.
This summer is going slow. I want to be in Lafayette, and now I want to spend more time with Brian than ever.
K.Z.
E.D.
I've talked to a lot of people at UL. I've even met a girl who lives in the complex I'll be in. She's a newbie, too. Everyone is very friendly, offering help and advice, asking questions.
This weekend something pretty big happened. Brian and I reached a new place in our relationship, which is a real relationship now. Faced with only two choices for the future, stay together and try to survive long distance or split up. It was an emotional conversation, ending with a particular declaration.
I'm sure you know the one I'm referring to.
Given this, I decided to tell my mother the truth about how we met. I didn't tell her we met online. I was a little embarrassed about it at first, and afraid my mother might judge and thus not consider the relationship valid, or might be suspicious of him. I still have a hard time giving her much credit in judging others.
So I told her the truth. Told her I was sorry for lying, and why I lied. I haven't heard from her. She could be really upset, or not surprised because sometimes she seems to expect stuff like this from me (though when it happens it's usually because of her issues). Now, it's a waiting game. She may not respond at all. I don't know.
But I figured if Brian and I are at that point, it needs to be out in the open. Who knows when he'll meet my family.
This summer is going slow. I want to be in Lafayette, and now I want to spend more time with Brian than ever.
K.Z.
E.D.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Home
I have an apartment in Lafayette now. My application went through, and my parents are going to pay 7 months rent up front. I will have to pay a pet deposit for Pismo, but Orpheus can live there for free.
I'm ready to move on. I miss Lafayette already.
Brian booked us a flight to New Orleans. We're looking for hotels now. About four days in New Orleans at the end of the month. Sexy.
I've started talking to students at UL. I sent out an e-mail to the graduate list, and I've gotten quite a few responses. Only one student seemed a little iffy, got an attitude vibe when she asked me why I was moving when I didn't get an assistantship.
This week is going too slowly.
E.D.
I'm ready to move on. I miss Lafayette already.
Brian booked us a flight to New Orleans. We're looking for hotels now. About four days in New Orleans at the end of the month. Sexy.
I've started talking to students at UL. I sent out an e-mail to the graduate list, and I've gotten quite a few responses. Only one student seemed a little iffy, got an attitude vibe when she asked me why I was moving when I didn't get an assistantship.
This week is going too slowly.
E.D.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Classes
551-001 Studies in Twentieth Century American Lit TR 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Dr. Lydia Whitt
Working Class
Literature and Labor: Writing and Reading Class in Modern America
In the past decade, “working-class” literature has emerged as a specific area of American literary
studies. As with any emerging sub-discipline, the essential nature of the area of study must be
specifically articulated if it is to flourish. Key terms and concepts pertaining to this area of study,
however, have yet to be established and are, in fact, being hotly debated by many scholars. Issues
include, but are not limited to, questions about what comprises American working-class literature: Is it
literature written about working-class characters and/or issues? Is it literature written by working-class
writers? Is it literature by AND about members of the working class? We will begin the seminar with a
brief review of such debates and spend the rest of the semester reading a variety of prose (fiction and
nonfiction) in which both work and social class are primary textual concerns. As a class, we will
formulate and modify provisional definitions of the term “working class literature” as we read each text.
Assignments will include two short papers, one in-class presentation, and a seminar paper. Each student
will also be evaluated on in-class performance and preparation.
A Partial Reading List
Looking Backward: 2000-1887 (Edward Bellamy)
O Pioneers (Willa Cather)
Poor White (Sherwood Anderson)
“May Day” (F. S. Fitzgerald)
Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison)
Trash (Dorothy Allison)
Woodcuts of Women (Dagoberto Gilb)
A Mercy (Toni Morrison)
556-001 Seminar in Rhetoric Dr. Keith Dorwick
Queer(ing) Culture – ONLINE CLASS
Beginning in the sixties with the Stonewall Riots (possibly triggered by Judy Garland’s untimely death
and her last appearance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral) but especially today, the discourse that surrounds gay
and queer culture has been loud and rude on the one hand but also increasingly sophisticated and
powerful rhetoric. We’ll look at several test cases from popular culture including queer episodes of
Roseanne (yes, the infamous kiss but also the Halloween episode in which D.J. distresses Dan by
insisting on going out dressed as a witch and Roseanne’s appearance in the local bar and its men’s room
as a guy named Fred); Ellen Degeneres/Ellen’s coming out as lesbian; the strange disappearance of
LGBTQ folk in the 24th century world of Star Trek and what almost is a good enough try (but only
almost) at representing queers; gay marriage; the Roman Catholic pedophilia scandals and how they
both do and do not count as “gay”; gays in the military and how trying it must be for straight men to
shower with men they know to be gay; lesbian invisibility and visibility; and other kinds of queer with
queer media, including that produced by very self-aware and interesting (and funny) queer folk such as
the Very Good Looking Boys from New York City and transmen and women from all over the world.
No experience in rhetoric necessary. There will be a midterm project (an eight page essay suitable for
conference presentation. The default final project is my usual: a one page abstract, eight page abstract
and 20 page critical essay all on the same research as the midterm project. Students may also negotiate
other final projects such as a video documentary, an audio documentary or other form of public
discourse, with instructor approval. This may count for area 7 distribution credit with approval of your
advisor.
FREN 532 Littérature française du dix-neuvième siècle
ENGL 500 Introduction to the PhD in English
Working Class
Literature and Labor: Writing and Reading Class in Modern America
In the past decade, “working-class” literature has emerged as a specific area of American literary
studies. As with any emerging sub-discipline, the essential nature of the area of study must be
specifically articulated if it is to flourish. Key terms and concepts pertaining to this area of study,
however, have yet to be established and are, in fact, being hotly debated by many scholars. Issues
include, but are not limited to, questions about what comprises American working-class literature: Is it
literature written about working-class characters and/or issues? Is it literature written by working-class
writers? Is it literature by AND about members of the working class? We will begin the seminar with a
brief review of such debates and spend the rest of the semester reading a variety of prose (fiction and
nonfiction) in which both work and social class are primary textual concerns. As a class, we will
formulate and modify provisional definitions of the term “working class literature” as we read each text.
Assignments will include two short papers, one in-class presentation, and a seminar paper. Each student
will also be evaluated on in-class performance and preparation.
A Partial Reading List
Looking Backward: 2000-1887 (Edward Bellamy)
O Pioneers (Willa Cather)
Poor White (Sherwood Anderson)
“May Day” (F. S. Fitzgerald)
Invisible Man (Ralph Ellison)
Trash (Dorothy Allison)
Woodcuts of Women (Dagoberto Gilb)
A Mercy (Toni Morrison)
556-001 Seminar in Rhetoric Dr. Keith Dorwick
Queer(ing) Culture – ONLINE CLASS
Beginning in the sixties with the Stonewall Riots (possibly triggered by Judy Garland’s untimely death
and her last appearance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral) but especially today, the discourse that surrounds gay
and queer culture has been loud and rude on the one hand but also increasingly sophisticated and
powerful rhetoric. We’ll look at several test cases from popular culture including queer episodes of
Roseanne (yes, the infamous kiss but also the Halloween episode in which D.J. distresses Dan by
insisting on going out dressed as a witch and Roseanne’s appearance in the local bar and its men’s room
as a guy named Fred); Ellen Degeneres/Ellen’s coming out as lesbian; the strange disappearance of
LGBTQ folk in the 24th century world of Star Trek and what almost is a good enough try (but only
almost) at representing queers; gay marriage; the Roman Catholic pedophilia scandals and how they
both do and do not count as “gay”; gays in the military and how trying it must be for straight men to
shower with men they know to be gay; lesbian invisibility and visibility; and other kinds of queer with
queer media, including that produced by very self-aware and interesting (and funny) queer folk such as
the Very Good Looking Boys from New York City and transmen and women from all over the world.
No experience in rhetoric necessary. There will be a midterm project (an eight page essay suitable for
conference presentation. The default final project is my usual: a one page abstract, eight page abstract
and 20 page critical essay all on the same research as the midterm project. Students may also negotiate
other final projects such as a video documentary, an audio documentary or other form of public
discourse, with instructor approval. This may count for area 7 distribution credit with approval of your
advisor.
FREN 532 Littérature française du dix-neuvième siècle
ENGL 500 Introduction to the PhD in English
Friday, June 4, 2010
Update
I gave in to my lover's whims and we watched the first disk of True Blood. I'm hooked, and he's feeding my addiction. He even helped me buy the seasons on DVD. They are crazy and ridiculous, with some soft-core vampire porn mixed in, and even a couple of really good, moving episodes. Some stuff is even too close to reality: relationships between people, and a Christian summer camp thing (took me back to my bible camp days, and it was so real I blushed to think how retarded I was).
I have lost a total of 15 pounds now, and got a new pair of jeans that make my ass look great.
I lost a summer class. Which means not enough money to survive. My mother offered me the money (sometimes lately she is way too giving for my comfort). I'm trying to find a part time job to fill it, but, well, you know how likely that is.
I am so very ready to get back to school.
K.Z.
I have lost a total of 15 pounds now, and got a new pair of jeans that make my ass look great.
I lost a summer class. Which means not enough money to survive. My mother offered me the money (sometimes lately she is way too giving for my comfort). I'm trying to find a part time job to fill it, but, well, you know how likely that is.
I am so very ready to get back to school.
K.Z.
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