Time to Roam...

On the heals of the break-up was news that I got into UCLA and Indiana University's Women and Gender Studies Doctoral Programs. Because of this I am spending a good part of the first and second weeks of March visiting Bloomington and LA. I have a six hour plane trip back from Indianapolis (due to layovers) that gets me into Boston at 11pm and then have a 7:50 am flight out of Logan the next morning to LA (luckily that one's a nonstop).

UCLA doesn't have anyone working on Trans Theory/Studies, but they have a fantastic Asian American Studies dept. Also the music history dept does a lot with gender and sexuality. I got a phone call from one of the Profs from the department and she suggested that I get the Trans Theory from USC (for those who don't know SUC is the cross-town rivals to UCLA and the bane of Cal's existence). Ah, the Trojans. I gotta say it's really tempting to spend the next 5-7 years in LA. It'd be nice to not be the only transman of color in the city. Since I know my big educational gap is in critical race theory, I know I could get that from UCLA. There are also the budget cuts to consider; the whole UC system (like everyone else) is going to be in spin cycle from the recession and the Govenator cutting off all state funds to the UCs. Haven't found out about funding yet. I axed UW because of their lack of financial support, thanks to Cali residency if I do have to pay out of pocket for a bit it's not going to be as bad as being out of state.

Indiana is the cutting edge program right now, they frame the dept on third wave feminist theory and put Trans experience at the heart of the program. Indiana also has a fabulous Religious Studies Department. But they are kinda weak in regards to Asian American Studies/Ethnic Studies. Also, I need a pretty hefty financial aid package to be a Hoosier next year. But the cost of living is fan-freaking-tastic in the Midwest. A lot will depend on what they plan on doing hiring-wise, financial aid and my impression on living in Bloomington 5+ years. It sounds like they are trying to get their grad students in and out fast, which is a plus in my book.

T asked me about my Summer plans, and a lot depends on getting a job. I found out that I can keep my barista job until the end of the year, which is great because right now finding a job with a commitment of 6 months is hard. I've made some inquiries and done some searches but most want a commitment of a year. All the temp jobs have pretty much vanished.

I'm also still kicking around the idea of working in New Orleans this Summer. It'll be tough to leave my queer family. That's going to be hard regardless. But I'm getting the itch to leave again. I have a lot less tying me to Boston and it's been no secret that I hate the weather here during the summer and when the temp drops below 30 degrees in the Winter. Sidewalk skating rinks suck. That said, Cambridge/Somerville has been more of my home then any other place for the last eight years if home is measured by years spent in a place. Also in regards to friendships, I have found a family and level of intimacy with my friends that I only had with Nina and Jen at Berkeley.

If I do get a job here, my plan is to work through August (hopefully extend my lease through then) and do some Dillon research on the side. Sept 1 pack up a u-haul and drive to Bloomington or LA. I'd like one last roadtrip to wherever is my spot for the next five years of my life.

butch-femme

When pinocchio said,
“I want to be a real boy!”
What did he mean?
desiring soft flesh
instead of wood;
Stone.
Who was his femme?
Geopetto? The Blue Fairy?

What other way can you read this Tale of
becoming Real
legible, desired, human?

spectacle of Other embodiment:
the entertaining little wooden boy barely loose of themastersstrings
Seen only by a Lady in Blue
or a gentle older Cisman.

All those books...

I never read but wanted to. Since finishing two weeks ago I have read:
a mercy, Toni Morrison
Decreation, Anne Carson

Currently reading:
Talking back, bell hooks
Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino

Next:
Prodigal Summer, Barbara Kingslover
Economy of the Unlost, Anne Carson
Eros: The Bittersweet, Anne Carson
Orientations, Compilation
(Dis)identifications, Jose Munoz