Listening reports . . . .

are not fun. Especially when you suddenly realize that they're due tomorrow (well, it was tomorrow when I realized it--now it's today), instead of a week from tomorrow (today) like you thought.






Birthdays, on the other hand, are lots of fun. Especially when you go see *The Nutcracker* and realize that this seemingly-innocuous children's tale is full of late-19th-century imperialism.


Toy soldiers killing mice? Victory of European soldiers over indigeous population.

Drosselmeier? The Europeans' view of God. Oh, come on, it's obvious--he gives Clara the eponymous Nutcracker, the noble warrior who defeats the "evil" indigenous population!

The second act--do I really need to explain the message sent by people from almost every non-European society performing stereotypical cultural dances before enthroned European children?

And Clara, of course, represents Queen Victoria (among other things).


And speaking of fun things, daggers are also fun.

Especially when you have black leather coats to go with them.




Yeah, I do a bit of slaying in my spare time.

And on that happy note, I shall save my more-or-less-completed listening report to my flash drive, all ready to be printed at school later today, and fall into bed.