in which i tie up loose ends

I bought Christmas cards today. Know what that means? That’s right — I’m officially an old person. There were only 12 in the package, though, and they were kinda pricey, so you’ll probably only end up with one if you’re family or a friend who I don’t see much who I know is into Christmas (or some approximation thereof). I might temper their message by signing them “Agnostically yours” or something.

Right now, for one reason or another, this “Dog Campaign for Real Beauty” spoof ad is making me laugh a lot. The original is here — watch it first if you haven’t seen it before. This campaign is rich with stuff to analyze — I think it’s what I’ll write my term paper about. Speaking of which, the semester is almost up, and next semester I’ll be doing the following:

• Visual Literacy, a lit department class that seems promising and is mostly online. This is kinda my jam, but I think that it won’t be overly easy and boring for me. I’ll keep you up to date.
• Independent study: my goal is to read and write on the topic of blogging in scholarship, with particular attention to the political economy of scholarly publishing. If you know of any reading that might be pertinent that you’re not sure I’ve read, do send it along as a suggestion. I appreciate it.

There are things coming up that interfere with this being finals week looming: Steelers tomorrow evening (I can watch and do homework at the same time, though, promise), holiday specials and Centipede/Parts & Labor at Gooski’s Friday night, The Ex at Garfield Artworks Saturday night. Why does this stuff not happen during the weeks when I don’t give a fig about schoolwork? Alas. I’ll make it all work. Don’t fret, reader.