Aside from that, though, I can fill you in on the rest of the last few days. Some work done; I progress on another Due novel, and should finish it today. Once that's done, I need to a) hunt up any articles written on her and read them, b) read her nonfiction book (which I may end up skimming). The goal is to be done with all of that by 3/27, so that I can have a few days to draft and re-draft the actual piece I'm writing (due 4/1). That's my main task this coming week.
I'm essentially done with one of my classes -- I've handed out to workshop twice, which means that for the remaining weeks I just have to read and critique. Which is important, but much less stressful, let me tell you. Despite that, I woke up with a story idea, when Kev's alarm went off this morning. It's about Arvind's wife; I think it might be rather different from the rest of the stories in the collection. It's a bit of a steal from Gaiman, but perhaps we can call it an homage instead, especially since the implementation will be very different. What's really interesting to me at the moment is that I'm coming up with two entirely plausible endings, and I think I'm going to have to write the story to find out which one is true. I may try to do that today.
Mostly, the last week was talking and occasionally watching movies. We watched one I really didn't like, called The Center of the World. In some ways it was a good movie -- very honest about what it might be like to start working in the sex industry. But it got kind of brutal towards the end, and I ended up getting very upset and making Kevin stop the movie and comfort me. Just couldn't watch any more. Afterwards, we skipped over that bit and watched the ending, which was relatively innocuous. Good movie for those with strong stomachs, I suppose.
Also watched a movie called Exotica, which was a surprisingly good character-based, plot-complicated movie, even though the promotional copy makes it sound like every other R-rated strip joint movie. It's set in Canada, and there's tragedy at the heart of it, and exotic birds, and many funny moments, and I really didn't know what was going to happen next at any point through the movie. I thought I did, but I didn't. The movie does deal with pedophilia somewhat -- the main stripper has a schoolgirl act that's essential to the story. So if that squicks you too much, maybe skip this one. But otherwise, it's sexy, funny, and interesting. Reminded me of Wild Things in a couple of ways.
Friday we did see other people some -- wandered over to Borders first, poked through wine and cooking books. Then Kevin went off to do some math with a colleague, Jen, and I went shopping. Came home around the same time, cleaned and cooked. Ended up having seven for dinner -- me, Kev, Jen, her husband Tom (also mathematician), Paul, Marcia, and Pat (Marcia's friend, visiting town). Pleasant conversation, fun playing Cranium afterwards. I think a good time was had by all, and it was nice to see Jen again after many years, and to get to know her a bit better. She and Kev are currently writing a paper together, so he mentions her often. I like her.
Dinner menu:
- bruschetta with roasted red pepper, marinated portobello mushrooms, and vinegared red onions, topped with a garlic aioli
- angelhair timbales with sundried tomatoes, leeks and cream
- winter greens with toasted walnuts, goat cheese, roasted beets and an orange dressing
- olive oil roasted potatoes and asparagus, tossed together
- mascarpone cheesecake with almond crust and balsamic strawberries
A lot of chaos is tiring, though, let me tell you!