Winter Term

Winter Term in Oberlin.

So far, I have seen no one else in Russian House. There might be one other person -- a Quiznos bag appeared in the refrigerator this afternoon. But I haven't seen the owner of said sandwich, so I have no idea who's here.

I'm making chicken stock, which I will then make into chicken noodle soup. It simmers for 3 hours after the meat has been taken off of the bone; I'm into hour 2. I'm looking forward to cooking during Winter Term. I've claimed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays as the nights of the week on which I'll cook dinner. I'm not sure what's going to happen the other days; if others will cook or we'll all just go out to dinner. I wouldn't mind some Garlic Honey Tofu from the Mandarin right now. (I had yogurt for dinner, and some chicken when I was pulling it off the bones.)

And now for waiting! Tomorrow John & Katelyn will arrive, and then the next big arrival will be Sam on January 17th. This Oberlin is very different with so few people and so little work. I think I will read the following books:
1. The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman
2. Power Performance for Singers by Shirlee Emmons & Alma Thomas
3. Close Range: Wyoming Stories by E. Annie Proulx
4. Some Roald Dahl short stories
5. Some Jim Harrison poetry
6. Some Charles Bukowski poetry

And now for a short lesson on ukiyo-e, or "pictures of the floating world".
Ukiyo-e is an art form that flourished between 1600-1868 in Edo, or modern Tokyo. Although ukiyo-e existed in painting, it was most widely dispersed through woodblock prints. During the late 17th century woodblock printing comprised almost all black & white prints. Some prints had hand-painted color added after the printing process was over, but the vast majority were black & white.
And that is the first installment in a possible series explaining a bit of woodblock prints.

But now! I will check if the Daily Show is on!