Did I ever tell you the story of when I went to the spa, and the aesthetician was trying to extract my blackheads from my nose? Well, sit down and listen because it is quite the amusing tale.
So there I was, listening to the gentle and soothing sounds of waves crashing on a sea shore (which, fyi actually really stresses me out) and this lady is trying to clear my pores when she turns to me and says, 'oh, I thought those were blackheads, turns out they are just sunspots. You should really wear sunscreen since it is much easier to prevent sunspots than get rid of them'
Well la-de-dah. Sorry if I happen to freckle easily. Besides, aren't I paying you? Why are you ruining my day of relaxation. Go give your advice to someone who cares. Did I ask for your opinion? No? Then let me get back to the sound of waves.
Anyways, when I went on vacation this summer, I made a conscious effort to apply sunscreen every day, especially to my face. I don't like putting sunscreen on my face because it makes me look very pale, and if I am nothing else, I am gloriously tan (or caramel as I like to call it). But because I had sunscreen on, I didn't wear a hat when I got home I had more freckles than ever, so I'm not sure if it helped or not. At least I don't have blackheads...
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Power, power, power
I never really gave much though to how power plays out in the world around me. People have always told me it does, and I believed them but as I start actually reading and researching for my papers this year it has really become clear just how pervasive it is in places that are traditionally regarded as institutions of 'truth'.
I am writing two papers at the moment, one on the South African archives after apartheid and the other on the place of the 'other' in museums (specifically looking at the ROM's exhibit Into the Heart of Africa) and I keep finding examples of how power plays out in practical ways.
The first one made me aware of the idea of archival authorship, which questions the notion that archives simply hold the past, in its true form. Instead, this paper has begun to show me how people and institutions actually construct our knowledge of the past. They can direct information into the archive, (and by the same authority, prevent other records from entering the archive). It makes me question how this knowledge was selected, and makes me wonder what else was prevented from becoming knowledge.
The other paper is still in its formative stages, but what is interesting to me is how this exhibit, in talking about the experience of colonialism in Africa, is not even really about the African experience. The exhibit is actually about the missionaries and soldiers who were in Africa and imperialist ideology. Interesting then that the exhibit was showcased as a "historical journey through sub-Saharan Africa". The problem with this is that the museum is in a position of authority but doesn't offer any counter-narrative against the ideology so it almost seems like they are endorsing it (which I don't think they were).
I am still percolating my ideas in my brain, but I will see what I find when my papers are finished.
I am writing two papers at the moment, one on the South African archives after apartheid and the other on the place of the 'other' in museums (specifically looking at the ROM's exhibit Into the Heart of Africa) and I keep finding examples of how power plays out in practical ways.
The first one made me aware of the idea of archival authorship, which questions the notion that archives simply hold the past, in its true form. Instead, this paper has begun to show me how people and institutions actually construct our knowledge of the past. They can direct information into the archive, (and by the same authority, prevent other records from entering the archive). It makes me question how this knowledge was selected, and makes me wonder what else was prevented from becoming knowledge.
The other paper is still in its formative stages, but what is interesting to me is how this exhibit, in talking about the experience of colonialism in Africa, is not even really about the African experience. The exhibit is actually about the missionaries and soldiers who were in Africa and imperialist ideology. Interesting then that the exhibit was showcased as a "historical journey through sub-Saharan Africa". The problem with this is that the museum is in a position of authority but doesn't offer any counter-narrative against the ideology so it almost seems like they are endorsing it (which I don't think they were).
I am still percolating my ideas in my brain, but I will see what I find when my papers are finished.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
90. Wear matching bra/underwear every day for 2 weeks
Disclaimer: this post discussed feminine undergarments
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Still reading? Well, I can only do so much to keep people from getting in trouble at work. Upwards and onwards explorer. This might be the wrong expression for the topic. Maybe I should be saying 'on to the dirty laundry'?
Ok, so I know many people who wear matching bra and underwear every day, but I am not one of those people. Actually, I like to wear mis-matching underwear in as bright as a colour I can find. I like when people look at me and they have no idea that I am wearing neon green and polka dots underneath my demure and unassuming historian facade. But I decided to try this out, to see how the other half live. (And other half in this case, does not mean men, it still means women... so.. moving on)
First, I defined the rules. Matching includes undergarments with similar themes: stripes, colour, pattern (for example, reindeer and snowflakes are both winter themed), etc. I actually planned it out, and matched up my bra's to their appropriate co-ordinated underwear. Turns out, I don't have that many matches, so I broadened my strict rules to allow for design (lace of different colours counts as a match) and complementary colours (everything goes with black) and I had it! 2 weeks of co-ordination.
The actual task of wearing matching bra/underwear was not as much fun as I thought it would be since I like to pick my bra and underwear on the day of, looking for as much contrast as possible. I especially did not include this 'game' to include matching my bra and underwear to my clothes as that would have been too much for my inherently rebellious character, and I have since gone back to my organized mis-matching of undergarments. So, the next time you see someone, maybe you will wonder just how much you can really tell about the person from outward appearances alone. Or maybe, they're going commando... in which case, that's a whole different blog post.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
The Canadian War Museum
I had the opportunity to go to the CWM this pre-rememberance day. For this reason, this post is not going to have the humour of many of my other posts. I had to write a report outlining my observations and I decided to focus on the way that text is presented at a museum, and what is it that makes someone chose to read or ignore parts of the text that is presented. What I observed was museums are a place of individualized experience, and that while some dedicated individuals will read every single piece of information in an exhibit, the majority pick and chose what they are going to read, so that they don't end up spending 8 hours there. Below I offer some analysis as to why we read some text and not others.
The sheer amount of information at museums is often quite overwhelming, and at the CWM, I gravitated towards information that was part of the larger narrative rather than looking for information on specific artifacts or art pieces. In the main gallery, I noticed myself reading panels of text that explained larger implications and meanings of themes presented such as life on the home front, or discussion of nationalism and the South African war. In contrast, I chose not to read text that looked at specific battles, or historic figures. Due to the overwhelming amount of information presented, it is difficult to absorb all available text in a single visit. Reading text on larger themes and narratives provides the observer with the option of getting the most ‘bang for their buck’, in that they are able to construct the larger story with the start, middle, and end. However, with textual overload, the observer often cannot absorb information that would provide colour to the story, or fill the missing gaps. For this, multiple visits may be required. With each visit, you can chose to focus on developing your knowledge on different aspects of knowledge that is presented.
Similarly, I would read text on subjects that I was already aware of. For example, I read the panel explaining rationing at home to provide materials for the war-front. As with the idea of reading panels that discuss the grand narrative, deepening my knowledge on subjects on which I had previous familiarity allowed me to incorporate new information without being overwhelmed. I took my visit as an opportunity to reinforce knowledge already possessed rather than learning specific details regarding areas of Canada’s military history that were completely new to me. Applying this to the general observer, when presented with an over-abundance of text, textual information serves to strengthen pre-existing knowledge and interests. More importantly, by using this approach, it can be inferred that individual observers will focus on different aspects of the gallery’s text, varying with each individual’s previous knowledge and own personal interests.
What I did not read were panels and written text surrounding ‘big ticket’ items, such as Hitler’s car, or large gun displays. In these situations, the artifact became the singular object of focus, and I did not feel the need for additional narrative. The downside of the object becoming the centre of focus is that the context of the object can be lost. While it is true that Hitler’s car is one of the biggest draws of the museum, very few people read the surrounding text to understand how and why Hitler was able to rise to power and the atrocities committed under his rule. As a result, the object is seen simply as a ‘cool’ item. The seriousness of Hitler’s role in WWII is diminished when observers do not take the time to read the information provided in the accompanying text. I fell into the trap that many do of looking at only the item being displayed, and not looking at why this object has significance, and what the object can tell us about a person, place or event. However, this also adds credence to the notion that observers only read text when they can adequately absorb it.
Taking my experience as an observer provided me with an interesting opportunity to analyze the place of text at the CWM.
The sheer amount of information at museums is often quite overwhelming, and at the CWM, I gravitated towards information that was part of the larger narrative rather than looking for information on specific artifacts or art pieces. In the main gallery, I noticed myself reading panels of text that explained larger implications and meanings of themes presented such as life on the home front, or discussion of nationalism and the South African war. In contrast, I chose not to read text that looked at specific battles, or historic figures. Due to the overwhelming amount of information presented, it is difficult to absorb all available text in a single visit. Reading text on larger themes and narratives provides the observer with the option of getting the most ‘bang for their buck’, in that they are able to construct the larger story with the start, middle, and end. However, with textual overload, the observer often cannot absorb information that would provide colour to the story, or fill the missing gaps. For this, multiple visits may be required. With each visit, you can chose to focus on developing your knowledge on different aspects of knowledge that is presented.
Similarly, I would read text on subjects that I was already aware of. For example, I read the panel explaining rationing at home to provide materials for the war-front. As with the idea of reading panels that discuss the grand narrative, deepening my knowledge on subjects on which I had previous familiarity allowed me to incorporate new information without being overwhelmed. I took my visit as an opportunity to reinforce knowledge already possessed rather than learning specific details regarding areas of Canada’s military history that were completely new to me. Applying this to the general observer, when presented with an over-abundance of text, textual information serves to strengthen pre-existing knowledge and interests. More importantly, by using this approach, it can be inferred that individual observers will focus on different aspects of the gallery’s text, varying with each individual’s previous knowledge and own personal interests.
What I did not read were panels and written text surrounding ‘big ticket’ items, such as Hitler’s car, or large gun displays. In these situations, the artifact became the singular object of focus, and I did not feel the need for additional narrative. The downside of the object becoming the centre of focus is that the context of the object can be lost. While it is true that Hitler’s car is one of the biggest draws of the museum, very few people read the surrounding text to understand how and why Hitler was able to rise to power and the atrocities committed under his rule. As a result, the object is seen simply as a ‘cool’ item. The seriousness of Hitler’s role in WWII is diminished when observers do not take the time to read the information provided in the accompanying text. I fell into the trap that many do of looking at only the item being displayed, and not looking at why this object has significance, and what the object can tell us about a person, place or event. However, this also adds credence to the notion that observers only read text when they can adequately absorb it.
Taking my experience as an observer provided me with an interesting opportunity to analyze the place of text at the CWM.
Friday, November 11, 2011
64. Give successful directions to somewhere in Ottawa 6 times
For anyone that knows me, the idea of being in a car with me with no GPS probably raises mixed feelings of terror and dread. With a 50% chance between left and right, the fact that I was wrong last time surely means that the next time I will be right, right? Ok, I will be the first to admit that I can get easily confused between left and right. (But when it doubt, always chose left). That being said, I do not easily give up, or admit that I am lost.
I recently was trying to get on the 401 in Toronto, looking for the exit for Bayview (the punchline of the story is that there is no exit/entrance for Bayview). What a terrible feeling it is to be able to see the highway, but not being able to find the on-ramp. The worst part is, that I had told my sister that this "detour" would be easier than the way Google Maps had suggested. Oh, I am so naive... Well, lucky for me I had my iPad with me. With some minor wireless-piracy tactics, I finally made my way to an on-ramp 1 block ahead 45 minutes later. Not bad for a nice Sunday drive.
The moral of the story is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if the "it" you are referring to is my internal compass, your best chance is to get out of the car and take the bus...
I recently was trying to get on the 401 in Toronto, looking for the exit for Bayview (the punchline of the story is that there is no exit/entrance for Bayview). What a terrible feeling it is to be able to see the highway, but not being able to find the on-ramp. The worst part is, that I had told my sister that this "detour" would be easier than the way Google Maps had suggested. Oh, I am so naive... Well, lucky for me I had my iPad with me. With some minor wireless-piracy tactics, I finally made my way to an on-ramp 1 block ahead 45 minutes later. Not bad for a nice Sunday drive.
The moral of the story is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But if the "it" you are referring to is my internal compass, your best chance is to get out of the car and take the bus...
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
69. Call in to work sick just because
Not that I am admitting that I have done this, but if I had (or were in the future to do this), hypothetically speaking, the sequence of events may have gone as follows:
- call into work early in the morning before clearing my throat so that I can pull of sounding sick
- go back to bed for at least 2 hours
- wake up leisurely and eat breakfast
- sit on the couch and watch bad daytime tv
- go for a nice walk
- meet up with a friend for coffee
Good thing I am a hardworking employee who does not abuse the sick-leave system... Because that would be very very wrong. Very wrong.
- go for a nice walk
- meet up with a friend for coffee
Good thing I am a hardworking employee who does not abuse the sick-leave system... Because that would be very very wrong. Very wrong.
81. Do 3 good deeds anonymously
I found a cell phone on the bus the other day. It was a nice, shiny, blackberry bold, but I resisted the urge to sell it for photocopy money (as a grad student, this urge is quite strong) and looked through the contact list for someone under 'Home', or 'OMG Call if Found'. Lucky for me, the most recent person to text was 'Mom'. I got in contact with her, and she went into what I like to call Super-Saver Mode. This is something that all mom's do when they need to get something done for their kids. My mom did this for me when my phone and wallet were stolen in Rome, so I know this mode quite well.
That being said, a few days later I dropped off the phone to its rightful owner and I guess karma worked out for me because I finally talked to my insurance people and they are going to give me 400$ to replace my stolen phone. So... what that means is.. iPhone 4s here I come!
As an aside, I may have slightly tainted my good deed by snooping through her pictures and videos. Just for some background research of course.
That being said, a few days later I dropped off the phone to its rightful owner and I guess karma worked out for me because I finally talked to my insurance people and they are going to give me 400$ to replace my stolen phone. So... what that means is.. iPhone 4s here I come!
As an aside, I may have slightly tainted my good deed by snooping through her pictures and videos. Just for some background research of course.
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