Midnight snack confession

I am not built for the kind of weather that winter brings. Once it gets into the 20s, like today, I start craving all kinds of junk food on a full stomach, snack constantly, drink lots of hot teas (herbal) and bundle up with my warmest socks and fleeces even in the house. Ski socks make me very happy this time of year, though I am not a skier! I wear them with my slippers around the house. I must have poor circulation, because I like thick gloves when I go out in the cold.

I also find it especially difficult to avoid cookies, pastries and other sugary stuff when I am out shopping. Today, I came home with both cookies and ice cream from the grocery store and yes, I plan to have a serving of each before bed. I feel like it is a victory that I didn't bring home any chocolate also! I'm just confessing my indulgent midnight snacks in the hopes that it will lead to some recognition of where this urge is coming from. Please, universe, find me a job in the sunbelt. What about you? How do you manage cold?

Hello my name is Grumpy

...and I just want the semester to be over. Thanksgiving can't get here soon enough. In order to combat the fine mood I've been in lately, I decided one cup of coffee wasn't going to cut it today. I spent the morning with friends at the farmer's market, bitching about the class I'm teaching and what a disaster I feel it has become. I had a vision for this class and now, well...now I just want the class to be over, period.

After lunch, I decided a second coffee was in order, and I embellished it with sweetened condensed milk. Mmmm....now I think I need to do some knitting on the porch while I finish up the coffee. Maybe I can tackle that exam I need to work on after that.

Job application sanity

I'm applying for jobs far and wide these days, so here's my post on how to keep going through the process -- despite discouragement from the economy and the rejections, not to mention the general state of anxiety that comes up in the whole process. Not that I'm an expert on these things, but here's what has worked for me and I want to remind myself to keep doing what is working.

Step 1. Application Potential
There's something wonderful about applying for jobs. The possibility, the anticipation, the chance of landing a real job as a professor. What could be better than thinking about that? Nothing, really. But while I'd try to remember all of this as you are writing your letter, and channel your excitement into the letter, the key is to stop there. Once you have submitted it, stop visualizing yourself living in potential job city. Just stop. Visualize a stop sign if you must, but don't keep thinking of the potential anymore. You are done with that application. Move on to the next one on the list.
Step 2. Treat yourself
Something small, a reward for every batch of applications that you finish. I do this twice a week, because they seem to be due at the start of the month or the middle. This is good because it allows you to acknowledge the work you put in and gives you the boost you need to keep going.
Step 3. When you get a rejection
And as long as you are applying far and wide, you will. But, don't let yourself feel sorry for yourself for a whole week! Go print out the rejection in question (if it came over email) and go find a big paper shredder and do a ritual shredding, preferably with a witness nearby who can remind you how lame that place is, and how you didn't want to go there anyway.
Step 4. Keep updating the list
This keeps the freshness of the possibility in your mind, and reminds you that there are still lots of options, no matter what has already passed. Do this at least once a week.
Step 5. Repeat
steps 1-4 until you get a job.
GOOD LUCK to everyone who is on the market this year!

Alice's soynog latte recipe

I've started early on my eggnog lattes this year, but fortunately, I don't have to buy them because they are pretty easy to make at home. Here's what I do:

1. Start with a giant microwaveable mug, 16oz is perfect. I have a holiday mug that is oversized and works well.
2. Depending on how strong you like it, about half fill it with Silk Nog. This has all the yumminess without eggs, cholesterol or dairy. It is a bit on the sweet side, but that's why it is only available seasonally. Microwave for about 1-2 minutes. I like it pretty hot and frothy, so I usually go for two minutes, but I have a clunky old microwave, so your timing may vary.
3. In the meantime, brew a cup of coffee the way you like it. These days, I do a one-cup presspot which is good and strong.
4. Add the coffee to the nog and drink up!

This has been just the treat I have needed to get through this yukky part of the semester. I hope you'll enjoy it too.

High Gear kick from the Brazen Hussy

Well, now I've gone and signed up for InAdWriMo again, I will have to crank out the words on one of these papers. Monumental manuscript is probably closest to getting done, so I'll pledge to get a draft of it out by the end of November. It is a bit nuts to take up this challenge now, given all the jobs I have to apply for this month, plus a trip home for Thanksgiving, and making an exam for the class I'm teaching...but the more work I have, the more I seem to get done. I'm a high-gear-or-dead kind of functioning person. So why stop at busy when I can be super-busy. Why not just get some of the writing done that I should be doing anyway?

I'm a bit late to the start but I won't let that stop me either. I've signed up for 5,000 words, which should cover a full draft, even with revisions. Now that I'm getting back into waking up ridiculously early, a little morning writing can be arranged in before I head off to campus.

Fictitious fears

My sister is a huge fiction fan. She devours novels, and whenever I need a recommendation, she does not disappoint. Her birthday is coming up and I've been trying to figure out a gift for her. Well, today I had the perfect opportunity to get her something wonderful. An author whom she enjoys was giving a talk at Postdoc U. I went to the talk and got an autographed copy of the poster from his talk. Not quite as good as a signed book, but I tried in vain to find his book at three different bookstores around campus! I hope she likes it.

The thing that surprised me about this was that I had planned this all out, and then when the time came to execute the plan, I froze. I felt embarrassed that I was getting him to sign the poster, rather than a book, like others were. I felt too starstruck to ask for an autograph. I could barely even talk when I got to the front of the line! Fortunately, the words "my sister is a huge fan" somehow came out of my mouth as I pulled the poster out, and he was happy to sign it for her. He was ridiculously down to earth, and, after I calmed down a bit, I even asked him a question about writing. I wondered how he balances writing with his other work, which is pretty draining also, and he was really humble in his response: "Its an evolving process" he said, "I try to do a little bit of both."

As I mulled it over on the bike ride home, I found this to be a good way of thinking about writing, trying to do a little bit. Maybe tomorrow I'll try to do a little bit. What about you? How do you think about your writing?

Cuppa tea anyone?

A friend asked me for tea recommendations, and I thought I'd post these up here so you can see them too. These are all for bagged caffeinated black teas, since he was looking for an alternative to coffee and disappointed with Twinings teas. I've enjoyed many of these and some are strong and bold enough to substitute for coffee, especially if you're trying to cut back on the caffeine but not ready to completely give it up.



Regular Black Tea
As these recommendations go, this is the lowest on the totem pole, but one I reach for when I am just looking for a simple black tea, is Tetley. The one you'd find most easily is British Blend (not classic blend), and actually, if you can get to an import store to buy the British version, it is even better (square box). The "British Blend" is the American version and not nearly as good as the one that is made for the U.K. consumer, but it is still far better than most of the stuff on the shelf here.


Earl Grey
I'm a huge fan of Earl Grey, but not just any Earl Grey. I recommend Revolution Tea's Earl Grey with Lavender. This is one of the best teas I've had and it is comparable to coffee in terms of the kick you get from a good hearty brew. You won't miss coffee when you drink this. Trust me.


Irish Breakfast
If you live near a Trader Joes, you can get your hands on some decent Irish Breakfast without paying too much for it. The Trader Joe's brand has a fine Irish Breakfast, which is reviewed in detail here.

Flavored tea
I don't generally go for much flavored tea at all. However, you simply must try Mighty Leaf's Vanilla Bean tea. I am partial to all of their teas, but as you'll see, they are on the pricey side. Revolution teas is a nice splurge, Mighty Leaf is like a kick in the wallet. So anyway, all of their teas are good, but the Vanilla bean tea comes close to being worth the price.