Is it just me, or does anyone else always think of "A Christmas Story" when they hear about oneself or others receiving an award?





"Fra-gee-ley. That must be Italian!"


So here's the scoop. It seems that I've won some mysterious teaching award. I didn't know I was entered and I didn't know the award existed. In fact, I still don't know what the award is or why I won it. Yesterday morning I received an email from one of the secretaries congratulating me on my award and wanting to know if I wanted the money added to my salary or set aside for research expenses. I briefly wondered if it was spam, but since it was from the secretary considered that it must be legit. So I responded that I didn't know I had won anything and asked if she was sure it was me and not someone else. She didn't respond, so I spent the rest of the day and night wondering what this is all about. This morning I got to class and still hadn't gotten a reponse, so I enlisted the help of the super-secretary (she can solve all problems). After class, I checked my email and had responses from both of them. Basically, they have no idea what the award is for and why I got it other than I should have been notified by the Graduate School. But since I graduated and can't really use it toward research expenses, they will put through the paperwork so that it will go into my last paycheck. I have no idea if this is $5 or $50 or what. At this point, I figure I'll just say that I won a Major Award and stop questioning it.


Now maybe I can justify buying some yarn to knit Coachella from Knitty.


I still can't justify spending at minimum $70 a person to go see Bon Jovi at the new arena in Newark in November. What's killing me about it is that they are playing 10 shows!!! TEN SHOWS!! The nose-bleed seats are $70 (excluding the damn Ticketmaster fees and taxes). Jon, I love you, but that's ridiculous. I'd pay $50 for nosebleeds, I'd pay $35 and buy a t-shirt, but $70 a ticket to watch you be about the size of an ant, I just can't do it.


Hmmm...Can you include concert tickets on your Wedding Registry.....