Deep Dive – Power, Identity and Social Justice

October 5 2024

Deep dive into my classes. Power, Identity & Social Justice – I love this class. This is an introduction to gender, race, and other identities and inequalities. Currently, I’m minoring in Social Justice. I met with the GRI advisor last week to get clarity on whether I’m keeping this as my minor or switching it. I really liked what he had to say, and am leaning towards keeping it as my minor. I’m meeting with a few other advisors in different departments next week to further that clarity.

Our big project is a group project. Each group chose a local social justice organization from a provided list. We are to research the history of the topic the organization focuses on, interview someone from the organization, and write a paper along with a presentation. My group chose Canyonwalker Connections. (Looking at you Kathy V. Baldock!!) I suggested three organizations of which I know the founders or directors, and my group mates were most interested in this one.

I had my first midterm last week. Whew! Anxiety hell, y’all! In one month, I register for Spring 2025 semester. Onward!!

Monday Night Poetry – Go Find Your Local Poetry Group

October 4 2024

I had such a great time at Monday Night Poetry. Awesome poetry was shared, and I was very happy with the two poems I shared. I encourage any local friends to check it out. Heck! Even if you aren’t local, find a spoken word event close to you and go! 🖤🖤🖤

Deep Dive Into My Classes – Writing About Literature – Literary Analysis

September 28 2024

Deep dive into my classes. Writing About Literature – I’m very much enjoying this class. We are being taught how to do a close read and analyze texts using critical thinking skills. Fortunately, it seems I landed with one of the coolest, laid back professors for this class. (Thanks to Thomas for the “rate my professor” website tip!)

We are reading three banned books, analyzing a chunk at a time in class. We each had to choose one of these books for a full length literary analyses. Then we will create a mock school board meeting where each of us has to either defend the ban or defend against banning the book we chose to analyze.

The books:
Flamer (we are reading now)
The Bluest Eye
The Poet X (I chose this one) The author is a spoken word poet. Of course I chose this one!!
We are having some pretty lively discussions analyzing the text and about book bans.

We were in groups last week to analyze cartoon texts. I commented to my group members that one of the ideas our cartoon was conveying was about not reinventing the wheel. Lawd have mercy! I guess I showed my age with that one as they all looked at me like I was crazy and had no idea what that meant! I had to explain it.

Onward with my Spidey senses, or something like that with these selfies! Oh, and if I haven’t responded to you, or you haven’t heard from me; this is taking all my spoons, brain power, and socializing energy!! When I get home, I’m depleted!!

A Happy and Full Heart

September 21 2024

It’s been four weeks since I turned my life upside down, inside out, sideways and shook the hell out of it. The first two weeks were the hardest. I had to down Lillian’s CBD oil the entire first week just to be able to fall asleep. My brain would not turn off. I alternated between thinking I’d utterly lost my mind to being in love with my decision, in between anxiety attacks.

I have finally moved past that stage and am fully in love with and happy with my decision. As I walked to my class yesterday morning, I looked up and there was my beautiful child headed towards me. This is quite the experience attending college at the same time as one’s child. I was able to see their new hair cut, give them a hug, and tell Thomas that I love them. We had dinner together last night with the most lively, fun conversation. I went for my walk last night with a full and happy heart.

Let me say, the walking. So. Much. Walking. It’s about a half mile walk from parking to classrooms, then to other classrooms, and back again. I love all my classes. Dance Appreciation, Introduction to Language (Linguistics class), Introduction to Literature (learning how to analyze texts), and Social Justice.

The poem I wrote and shared last Monday is about this current phase of my life. It’s titled, “i go”. I’m happy to share more if anyone is curious. Ask away!

Monday Night Poetry – Simply the Best

September 20 2024

There’s a reason why Monday Night Poetry won the number 1 slot for open mic!!! These people are simply the best. I wrote and shared what I think may be one of my best poems to date. I showed it to Thomas tonight, and they said I should submit it for publication. That’s damn high praise. Thomas read the title and I thought they said, “That sucks”. Nope. “That fucks”. And now I know a new term to compliment something that rocks. 🤣😂🤣 The poem is titled, “i go”.

Congratulations Thomas – Editorial Board Plus Two Poems

September 15 2024

Congratulations to my wonderful, thoughtful, amazing child. Thomas has been asked to be on the editorial board for The Meadow. They also have two poems being published in the next issue. I’m sure you can absolutely feel the pride and joy shining from this post. We celebrated with ice cream!! 🧡💥🧡 Keep going. Keep creating. I love you G!

Happy 23rd Birthday to Lillian

September 13 2024

Tomorrow is the big 23 for Lillian Darnell!!! Damn! It just hit me typing that. I’ll post more tomorrow. For now, this is just to say that Lillian wants to continue the birthday tradition of a facebook live for family and friends near and far. Please join us tomorrow, September 14th, at 4:00pm PST.

September 14 2024

In honor of Lillian’s 23rd birthday. Happy Birthday to Fairy Queen Lillian! 🎉❤️🎉 We’ll be live on my Facebook at 4:00 PST for the traditional Facebook live for family and friends, near and far. Join us.

2024 Davis Fire – Northern Nevada

September 7 2024

This has been a plot twist kind of day. 😱 Currently sitting in the dark with Lillian. Finally got my Daisy out of the garage. She was trapped with having no electricity. We need that girl ready in case we decide to leave. 👀👣👀

September 8 2024

Because folks are asking … Screenshot showing our location with blue arrow at the edge of the evacuation area.

Lillian and I stayed home. Power came back on around 1:30 this morning. Evacuation area hasn’t changed since yesterday afternoon. It would have been a nightmare trying to leave as our main road was/is closed (Mt Rose Hwy). Some neighbors who left can’t get back now. Still no word on containment this morning. Thank you to those who reached out to check on us. ❤️❤️❤️

Current photos. Taken about 1:15 pm PST. And current evacuation area. Still stops at the edge of our complex. NV Energy may have to shut off power again. Lillian and I are fine. Although she may need another anxiety med. 😱