Sing Me Spanish Techno

A few years ago, when Stereolab's Sound Dust album was released, I thought to myself, as I listened to the songs, "Gosh, it must really be fun to sing for that band." The songs were so clever and full of energy in their arrangements that I almost felt envious of Sadier and Hansen (and this reaction from someone who has no interest in all in singing--you'll never find me making a fool of myself on American Idol).

I've been having a similar reaction listening to the New Pornographers latest album, Twin Cinema. They're a band that has always shared the singing responsibilities. On this album, they have four (and maybe five) lead singers, allowing them to experiment with song structures and arrangments that would not be possible if they had only one singer, as most bands do. And because it's the New Pornographers, you know you are in for some peppy power pop. It occurred to me today that it must really be a delight to play in a band like that.

My favorite track off the new NP album is "The Jessica Numbers." I just can't get enough of that song and I play it several times a day. It is sonic ecstacy, not only the singing but the music as well. I wrote in my Amazon review that it is my personal pick for Song of the Year, and I stand by that comment.

Chump Change

I feel like I dodged a bullet. I took my car in to get the brakes fixed yesterday. I was expecting the worst, in terms of cost, but it turns out I only had to spend $170. I did have to wait about 4 and a half hours for the repairs to be made, but that's a small price to pay, considering. This is why I love Dobbs.

Half-Gifts

Well, some good news. Yesterday, I was hired to teach a single class over at Maryville, where I taught last semester. Between the Maryville assignment and SLU, that makes three classes for me this semester--more than I've ever taught at one time. It's a lot of work, but it's also more money for me.

As for bad news, I'm going to take my aging car into the shop next week. I've got a brake problem that causes my car to shudder violently when I slow down after driving at high speeds. I've done a little research online, and I think I know what the problem is and how my car needs to be fixed, but it sounds like it's going to be an expensive procedure--anywhere from $350 up to $2000, depending on how bad the brake damage is.

I've decided, as I think about my budget for the rest of the year, that I'll use the entirety of my Maryville paycheck to pay for my car repairs (I also need to change my shocks, which is also very expensive) and to pay down my ballooning credit card debt. My SLU paychecks will go towards rent and all my other usual bills and living expenses. The money from the online tutoring gig that will start in September will go towards paying for a new computer. The 6-year-old computer at which I am typing now is on its last legs I fear. It crashes several times a day now, and I don't know how much longer it will last.

It sucks being poor.

Strange Season

As the fall semester approaches, I'm hoping to land one more teaching assignment. I'm already set to teach two classes at SLU and I'm scheduled to do some part-time online tutoring for a textbook publisher, but I was hoping I could get one or two more classes to teach. Now that I'm no longer a grad student, I've got enough extra time on my hands that I can afford to teach more than two classes per semester.

But it's been tough finding work, even in a metropolitan area such as St. Louis. I tried applying at the local community colleges, but it's the hardest thing in the world to get employed there. Basically, CCs are loath to hire anyone without CC teaching experience, and yet, one can't get CC teaching experience without getting hired for the first time! I was told, by a CC professor that I talked to, that my education and work experience at private universities is hurting my chances. Apparently, CCs aren't sure that I can handle the quality of students that one typically finds at CCs--an attitude which I find not only insulting to me, but to the students who attend CCs as well.

As for the local four-year universities, I've queried a few of them, including the school that I worked at last spring, but everything is full, as of now. Surely, though, a position or two will open up in the next couple of weeks. But there's a lot of competition, and I should probably be grateful for what I have already.