(no subject)

[jawnbc]

I'm working on a farewell task for me job: a report that considers possible new offerings for doctoral study here at The University. It's kind of fun, makes me think (which is good), but I'm not hopeful that my recommendations will be followed. As querrelle can attest, strategic planning isn't a hallmark of the place.

I turned yellow this weekend. No, really. When I went to the doctor a months ago my liver enzymes were elevated, as were my triglycerides and cholesterol (7 it turns out, not 12). So I changed my already not entirely hideous diet and went on a low dose of Lipitor™. Which can affect liver performance. So I felt queasy and weren't purdy, and it's time for a follow-up of the blood work anyway. The Doctor is a charming fellow who likes to talk culture; all well and good but I do need to get to work--I can't bill the government for these conversations. Should have results Monday or Tuesday. Today, however, will still be my one day to each McDonalds--and to see my girlfriend! Sshhh...

Is it really Canada Day in just over a week? Wow, that's 3 of them in Australia. Canada kicks ass!

When I was an adolescent I could auto-fellate. And we're not talking licks, we're talking full-on mouthful. Was kind of kewl until I found out that others could do it for me...often better and I could just sit back and relax. Now I can't touch my ankles. querrelle, now he's flexible. Excellent for his health but otherwise quite the waste.

40 years ago I was crawling around the living room, periodically tortured by Mike and Tommy, and I followed Ma around everywhere. Stuck to her like a sock full of static cling. I am 1

30 years ago I was at the breaking point. Nothing I did seemed good enough for him, and the my one saving grace--school--was slipping through my fingers. I began to be mouthy in class and I capitulated on "just say no" and discovered drinking and smoking dope. At the start of the year I wouldn't wear jeans; at the end I wouldn't wear anything but jeans and my The Who concert t-shirt. I am 11

20 Years ago I didn't come home. From university. I decided to stay up at university college and make up some classes--otherwise I wouldn't graduate on time. I moved off campus with a couple of gal pals (Tina and Swamp...ok Marcia. But we called her Swamp...as in marsh...get it), went to class, worked on campus and at a bar, had sex with the occasional townie, and pretty much revelled in the non-presence of my family. Was stoned a lot of the time too. It was grand. I am 21

10 years ago I was an adult educator (teaching vocational skills, tourism to be precise), enjoying my time in Vancouver as Bachelorette #1, doing some volunteerism and a lot of remedial spiritual work. Anyone who's had a hard time with spiritual or emotional issues I heartily recommend a decampment to Vancouver in the summer: long warm days, incredible beauty, an irresistible urge to be out and about. Have a latte, strap on some 'blades. Or just loaf on the beach. Wow another incredibly sunset! I am 31

5 years ago I had just finished year one of my PhD. I was teaching, working as a tech support, going to some conferences, and finding that i could be both a bristly intellectual and a compassionate warm person: I did not have to choose. It was also shockingly isolating, but it was, as my pal Dr. Dyke always told me, one of the best lives a person could ask for. I am 36

And you? Tell me what you've been up to these last decades?

Comments

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

battling the ennui.

[jawnbc]

I'm fed up with marriage planning ennui? Or somethin' else?

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

oh just general ennui with work (which I will be quitting in a few months) and wedding planning ennui, life ennui and LJ ennui.
ENNUI for all. with some cake too.

[jawnbc]

ennui, offnui on-and-on-and-ennui. gotcha

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

exactly! I think I will cook tomorrow to occupy my time.

[zurcherart.livejournal.com]

You're cute in your Medieval Times outfit. <ducks>

[jawnbc]

*upsideyahead* btw I couldn't get the last MMS you sent. My mobile carrier is cheapo and there's lots of server problems.

[jeneration.livejournal.com]

40 and 30 years ago, I was not yet born, or even close in fact.

20 years ago I was in kindy. I had a young brother who was about a year old, and another brother due to be boon in five months time. My parents and I were living in a tiny terrace house in the centre of Carlton, Melbourne. We went for walks in the local cemetery (the largest green space) and the backyard was paved and had no trees or plants. The house had a spiral staircase up to a tiny loft, where my parents kept their turntable and a few bean bags. My favourite pastime was sneaking up there, when I could negotiate the stairs, and listening to the music. We were about to move to Brisbane so my dad could take up a better job so we wouldn't be below the poverty line any more. I was three.

10 years ago, I was in the ninth grade. I was deeply and severely depressed. I thought about killing myself every day. I knew that I was queer but wasn't sure quite what to do about it - my efforts at contacting the queer community had lead to rejection on account of my age (people were afraid of "recruiting" minors). My main pastimes were reading and music. I was thirteen.

5 years ago, I was studying my undergraduate degree. I was still depressed as I had been dumped by my first attempt at a relationship. I had discovered the queer department at the uni and also student politics. My other main pastime was still music - state youth orchestra and choir. I was feeling out the concept of coming out as trans. I was 18.

Geesh. My life sounds so short and inconsequential...

[b12x12.livejournal.com]

30 Years Ago - Playing "rape" with my friends (I think rape was in the headlines... the U.S. Supreme Court had determined that unconsensual sex within a marriage was illegal - that's my best recollection). This involved going in the closet and rubbing our genitals together. Also, rashes, dizzy-spells and other psychosomatic issues... benedryl, trips to allergists... all to no avail. I began, systematically and on my own accord, removing things from my diet, eventually concluding I must be allergic to water, as it was the only thing I was unable to avoid. Went to the beach almost every day, but still couldn't swim well and was afraid of the ocean. I'd check to see no one was looking, then dip my hair in the water so it would seem (mostly to my older brothers) like I'd gone in completely. I am 6.

20 Years Ago - Electric blue hair, army surplus and thrift store garb, LSD, Quaaludes, Speed, Alcohol - and a peer counselor! "Passing out" at parties with gay guys in them in hopes (mostly realized) they would "take advantage of me". I stopped having sex with girls when I came across one with stubble on her upper lip and LIKED it. I was just doing it to try to get used to girls anyway... telling myself that when I had sex with boys it was only because no girls were available at the moment - but not believing it. Forcing myself to get hard thinking of a girl's body before I could jerk off, not very successful. I'd gotten over the allergic to water thing, as well as the allergic to baby oil thing that followed it (my neighbor taught me to jerk off using it and I became positively addicted, couldn't, like water, avoid it), now I just thought it was my nervous disposition. I am 16.

10 Years Ago - Sober two years, going to a conceptual art school. All the students and teachers laughing at me when I talked about spirituality and God and that everything was fine in the world. Writing a musical play about my earlier life, dating a Broadway playwright who thought I was very talented (giving head - and writing), but warned me to ditch my play idea and look for something - well, not more traditional, but more traditional ("you know what I mean?") - otherwise it would be the beginning and end of my career. I tried dropping it, but it kept bouncing back up. I am 26.

5 Years Ago - Teaching creative arts to homeless youth and at-risk LGBT youth, composing for modern dance companies, came out with an album of "dark-wave" music, which wasn't all that interesting to me (other than the process of focusing on one style for so long, when I'm usually all over the place), but it had some critical and commercial success - mostly in Europe. (The earlier play I was warned against was a success as well.) Started teaching writing at University. Love at first sight (over the Internet, no less) with Donny. Fourteen-hour first date - the second 7 hours later. I am 31.

[smiley-kiley.livejournal.com]

This was such a great, thought provoking post, that I laid awake in bed last night trying to figure out where I was and what I was doing throughout the decades! I'm gonna post something my journal at some point today.

[austinw04.livejournal.com]

40 yrs and 30 yrs ago I was not born yet...

20 years ago- 9 years old and in the 4th grade. Oh yea, I had the biggest crush on my teacher- a common theme of mine growing up. We had just moved to a new city/town- so getting to know people. Not one of my strong points. This new place was really small- so all the kids had pretty much grown up together. My step brother and sisters visited every weekend during this time in my life. I think this was the year that the entire family went on vacation to Yellowstone. Packed up the van in the middle of the night- kids slept in there- at 2 or 3 am...mom and dad pulled out of the drive on our way for our first big family vacation. Good times.

10 years ago- I had just finished up my first year of collegiate soccer at Texas A&M univ. I was severly depressed, worn out emotionally and physically. Battling depression, eating disorders, and having 5 soccer practices a day and being expected to perform academically was to much. I decided a smaller college closer to home would do me good. I moved home enrolled in the Jr. College- much to my parents despise- I mean who would want their kid to give up a full athletic scholarship to one of the best colleges in the US. I started counceling, did very well in school, and worked to support myself since my parents refused to help if I left A&M.

5 yrs ago- I had just graduated from the University of North Texas- where I transfered to after 1 year of regaining my confidence at the JR college. I just completed the rest of my soccer eligibility in that soccer program. I had started hormone therapy and had the first of many surgeries for my transition. I had just moved to California with the person I was dating at the time. I needed to go out there to make sure we were going to last. We didnt. I started my MBA program. Overall- a good year, new beginnings. I was 24.

[zurcherart.livejournal.com]

It was mostly just a picture of my frontside with a comment about my backside.

[jawnbc]

Short and inconsequential? I don't think so....besides, life sucks less after 25, and freakin' rocks after 30.

And you've already got more brains and heart than most folks. Be prepared to shine.

[jawnbc]

This is turning out to be a great way to get to know a few new LJ friends a bit better. Great answers!

[jawnbc]

Wow, you were an elite soccer player and you've got an MBA? Fierce!

[austinw04.livejournal.com]

*grin* that would be me :)
Look who is talking Mr. "Academic Wanker"
How was it getting your PhD. Ive often thought about it, but dreading the GMAT.

[jawnbc]

Well in Canada most PhDs don't require much (if any) coursework--you just do the research. "Just", ahem. It's a lot of work, very isolating, but also perhaps akin to the sort of fitness you had playing football--except it's your brain.