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  • jeindeer 7:26 pm on February 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , reading, the t   

    #6: Finish Infinite Jest 

    The cover of infinite jestI tend to go through pleasure reading pretty quickly, but I’m not used to books which weigh as much as a healthy baby. Case in point: if Infinite Jest were in fact a healthy baby, by the time I finished reading, it would be able to play peek-a-boo and drink from a sippy cup. Seven long months. At almost 1,100 pages of tiny, end note-strewn text, it has enough physical and emotional bulk to justify my reading time, but it’s still been on my shelf for roughly forever. I read other books, too; I moved to New England; I started grad school; it has infinite in the name. For every week I couldn’t put it down, there was a week when the only progress I made was a couple of pages during one night’s dinner. Even then I’d gush about it to my bewildered friends—”you won’t believe how they tell time,” “I can’t believe he/she/it has first-person segments now!”—but there was always a new revelation to digest and, just as important,  wonder why I was so effected.

    By six months I was in up to my neck, and there was still a novella’s worth of content left. I was humbled. I just needed to finish it. After paring down what remained a couple of times, decided that this would be an adventure. I’d just sit down and finish Infinite Jest. Since the story takes place in Boston—and makes frequent mention of the green line—I decided to up the ante and read the last hundred pages while riding the T. I have a monthly pass, so I don’t get charged for individual rides. I’d just start in the morning and ride branches of the green line until I was finished.

    (More …)

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  • heididino 11:46 am on February 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply
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    6/52 DIY 

    I built a shelf. It took me like 3.5 hours and i only had to take it apart once. I wouldn’t really say that i am adept at assembling things. I’m not very crafty and i have very little patience. i got aggravated trying to hang up my shower curtain! I consider myself to be very independant yet i always seem to find someone to take care of my assemblying needs. Not this time!  With my screw driver and Arrested Development on in the background i went to work.  i know have a lovely 5 shelf rack thing for my bathroom. I’m pretty pleased with my handiwork.

     

  • heididino 10:42 am on February 15, 2010 Permalink | Reply
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    5/42 Creating Change 

    My week 5 adventure was a trip to Dallas, Tx for the National Gay and Lesbian Taskforce Creating Change Conference. I am a sign language interpreter and this was my first conference-we’ll pay for your plane and hotel-gig. Being a gay myself, I was very excited about this trip.

    It was a very busy week of interpreting, learning, workshopping  and singing karaoke.  I felt that it was a personal challenge/adventure for me because I went not knowing anyone. its easy for me to be an introvert but i stepped out of my shell and had a great time. I absolutely adored my roomate/co-interpreter. I learned a lot from her as an interpreter and as a queer activist in general.  We bonded over nightly desserts at the hotel restaurant, the go to being white and dark chocolate bread pudding. So good!  It was truly amazing to be surrounded by queer folk 24/7.  im gonna say it, it was a life changing experience and it has shown me that i can be a part of social justice and change in the world and that sign language interpreting is a perfect gateway for that.

     

    • eatveggiesdrinkwine 10:44 pm on February 22, 2010 Permalink

      This is a fantastic adventure … thank you for doing this, and for posting about it.

    • yearof52adventures 6:18 pm on February 24, 2010 Permalink

      I’m really proud of you. Thanks for doing what you do!

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