Yesterday I delivered a talk about my research and all the wacky hijinks I got up to while I was in Cairo.  The talk went fine, certainly as well as I’d expected.  But I’m left feeling dissatisfied. I hate public speaking.  I really, really hate it.  This is a common fear, I know.  According to … Continue reading →

I don’t consider myself to be a very materialistic person.  I don’t generally spend a lot of money on makeup, clothes, expensive entertainment or anything like that.  However, there are certain items I covet that may be considered by others gross extravagances.  For example, I like expensive shoes.  I don’t mean Manolo Blahniks or anything, … Continue reading →

So I’m sitting here procrastinating over planning this talk I’m supposed to be giving next week.  I’m giving a talk at the Globe Coffee Lounge next Thursday Feb 19th at 7 PM (if you’re in town, drop in!) on my time in Egypt and my research and so forth.  I’m planning to read some of … Continue reading →

Last week I went to Disney World.  Nominally the purpose of the trip was to observe some belly dancing at the Moroccan Pavilion in Epcot center as well as another group performance at an arts festival in Orlando and to interview a couple of Orlando-based belly dancers. But the truth is: I love Disney World.  … Continue reading →

I was going to write an entry on the British newspaper The Daily Mail, and how my dad likes to buy it to help me keep up with events in the UK even though it’s possibly the worst newspaper of all time.  Then I realized that I have a unique Superbowl perspective to share, so … Continue reading →

My Mom and I took a trip to Naples, Florida over the weekend for three purposes: first, to attend an alumni event hosted by Sarah Lawrence, second, to visit her aunt and uncle (my great-aunt and great-uncle), and third, to stop at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota on the way home to see their traveling … Continue reading →

I couldn’t wait to write about this because my experiences with customer service have been shrinking so much in the past few years – and I’m sure that’s true for many of you out there.  Something about the way business is conducted has become less friendly, less involved, less concerned about what the customer thinks.  … Continue reading →

Today marks my inaugural experience with live blogging as well as, y’know, the momentous event that this country has waited for not only since the beginning of this presidential race but since Thomas Jefferson declared to King George III that “All men are created equal.”  Since the three-fifths compromise was instituted to prevent former slaves from … Continue reading →

So the other night I decided to stay up late and watch one of my favorite movies, Shaun of the Dead.  It’s not the kind of film that would normally pique my interest – it’s full of extremely gory zombie shenanigans, and if I can check the “violently graphic” box plus the “supernatural evil thingies” box, this … Continue reading →

Hoo, boy.  I had a look at my Skirt!setter welcome letter the other day and found the edict “thou shalt blog a minimum of 3 – 4 times per week.”  (Okay maybe it wasn’t worded quite like that.)  I know that I am often overdue on my blogging, but I usually think it’s, y’know, a day … Continue reading →