The metre-and-a-half wide frame has hung empty above my bed since July. I paid a man to hang it. I'd harboured, to begin with, reservations about how my feminism and my employment of somebody else to execute the job dovetailed awkwardly, but after I hit myself in the face with a hammer one night, not understanding the difference between a nail at 45 degrees into a diving wall and a drill with a spiral anchor into a brick wall, I decided the most feminist act would be, in fact, to use my hard-earned feminist money to feministly delegate somebody better qualified to help me out - who yes, just so happened to be a man. I have never looked back. The room needed something above the bed - that's why I got the frame and had it hung - but I couldn't rush to fill it. It needed to be right. I didn't want a generic Ikea print: they can satisfy the dead area behind the door in the living room because that is a neutral space. Bedrooms - bedrooms must be ...
LOL - she has probably ran into students who don't know who he is. I was a teacher in public education for 3 years...in MI. Now, not all student and school types were represented in my former school...but it is safe to say that she has probably ran into students who don't have a clue...either that or she heard your accent and assumed you wouldn't have a clue.
ReplyDeleteI vote for the former reason.
Haha I can just imagine your response! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your response was "He's one of the Backstreet Boys, right?"...
ReplyDeleteJen- I can't honestly believe that somebody might not know that. Really. REALLY? Dear God. Although I do like P's response (see above) x
ReplyDeleteSteve- I know, right? It took EVERYTHING I had in me not be sarcastic. EVERYTHING.
P- HA! I WISH I had been that quick! x
Not to be picky but 'tonne' (pronounced ton-a) is a metric ton (that's 1000 kilo) and the yanks have not progressed beyond imperial measures (pounds); so 'a ton of people' is probably more correct!
ReplyDeletedad x
Dad- I think she was talking in metric-terms to help me feel more at home. Probably.
ReplyDeleteHi, Laura! This is Lisa from EMU (met you in your Friday class & sent you an e-mail). Reading your blog (& your readers' comments) is FUN!! Cute sarcastic comment from you, Laura (if I read into it right :-) about the International Office Lady "talking in metric terms to help you feel more at home. Probably." (Ha Ha :-) Your dear wise Dad is right--
ReplyDeleteI.O. Lady meant ton as in 2000 pounds = 1 ton. I.O.L. could've avoided all of this bewildered (yet entertaining) speculation by just saying "ALOT of people." It's curious that I.O.L. would use the expression "a ton of people" so automatically with international students, even Brits, because although any native Michiganian (or Michigander) WOULD understand what is meant by "a ton of people," we would consider this as NOT an everyday expression, as slightly quaint, or as something a kid would say in excitement or exaggeration, or as kind of a colloquialism (but not really a Michigan colloquialism). Regarding internationals, probably Middle Eastern or Asian students new to the U.S. would find that expression confusing or awkward (or annoying?) Oh, well...Please forgive my analytical ramblings.
Also, I agree with Jennifer's opinion. Have a great day, everyone!
--Lisa from EMU
Laura,
ReplyDeleteHi once again from Lisa from EMU--After all this discussion, now I can't help imagining you meeting 2000 pounds' worth of people on Martin Luther King Day! See what you and I.O.L. started? :-)
P.S. Did you ever find out from I.O.L. about the all-day schedule of events on campus for Martin Luther King Day? If you haven't yet, then check the my.emich website or ask in the Student Center Building.
Take care,
(Lisa from EMU)
Lisa- thanks for your comments. And if 'a ton' is not used a synonym for 'a lot' I guess I'm going to have to bring it back into style! Oh, and yes I've read the calender. Thanks! x
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