(I was going to parody an LJ entry, but couldn't find the energy.)
Haven't posted in a while: redeye to Philly to see Happy and Clarissa, then a long drive down to Virginia in a Ford Expedition which we did not want to rent, but was a free upgrade (we told the Enterprise people that it felt morally wrong), then the iPod battery ran out halfway, forcing us to do a quick recharge at some random rest stop. Stayed with Clarissa's aunt Diana and the two kids in Centreville, Spongebob with the kids ("You can't fool me! I listen to public radio!"), then to yet another one of Clarissa's aunts for Thanksgiving and a fantastic time. Huge spread, huge house, and I was too sober to join in on the Magic Sing videoke. Amazed the next day at the tons of people who came out for outlet shopping.
Then, back to work: wrap-up lectures for the final week, a pitcher apiece with Darren at the Edinburgh, the great Kiwi (and Irene from 8th Wonder) in my lit class, a big meat dinner at L&L with Kiwi and students (Joedobo was his usual scintillating self).
And, finally, 80s karaoke: Romeo and I drove down to Gilroy to see our high school classmate (my ESP partner) Eloise and her partner in crime Sean, rattling around alone in a massive house in front of a golf course in a gated community. I don't think I'd ever actually been in one in the U.S. (though they're everywhere in the Philippines). Saw old classmates Dave and Myra and their respective families. The Magic Sing reappeared (I guess you can count on Filipino gatherings to have one) and this time I couldn't resist. As evidence, there's a photograph of me on Ofoto clutching (I think) the mic in one hand and yet another Heineken (number 5 of 7, if I remember correctly) in the other. Met the coolest couple, Lan and Juan, who I swear are the biggest new wavers ever; very quickly our conversation turned to the Chameleons UK and Cure B-sides. Later we successfully wrested the mic from the, um, "old" group who was busy singing "My Way" and "Bikining Itim," and did a group rendition of "We Are The World" (I did Bruce, Michael and Daryl Hall; Lan did a scarily good Cyndi). And I did "My Sharona" (though Juan may have been singing too; I can't remember) and got a 100. Yes.
Glad I wasn't too hungover to see Joannie and Luna and Ging the next day in Oakland for some dimsum mania -- too bad Izzy was feeling under the weather (we're talking bittorrents of vomit into her bib at the restaurant), but later Joannie read Stellaluna to her and she started feeling better.
Last night, at the Edinburgh again: can't remember if Karen and Darren and I placed fourth on the pub quiz; nothing like 5 pitchers between 3 people to cloud your memory. "I had a dream / I had an awesome dream" -- that I remember.
Today: just finished reading a book on Filipino Americans which, let's just say, won't look like my next book.
Tomorrow: 100 exams to grade, big potluck in class, and poetry workshop with Barb.
Weekend: The Polar Express with Izzy, and the Dan Zanes concert with Jeff, Kumi and Maia!
Next week: about 140 papers to grade. Whee!