7 Quick Takes

For the first time I'm linking up with the 7 Quick Takes feature on ConversionDiary. Thanks to Jen for hosting - I'm excited to join in the conversation with so many wonderful bloggers!

1. My spring semester classes finally start next week! University of Delaware has this weird winter session, and all the unstructured time is killing my motivation for productivity.
2. A conference at The Beau's university rejected my paper proposal - booo hoo. To console myself, I'm editing the proposal and submitting it to another graduate conference that is more material culture-minded. 
3. For my Super Bowl party on Sunday, I am going to attempt a GF version of my mom's poppyseed cake. We all loved it when we were little kids. Mom was always making it to give to other people, much to our dismay.
4.  The Beau is rooting for the Packers in said Super Bowl. As the child of two Chicagoans, I cannot but view this as a moral evil. Also, my entire VSC house rooted for the Steelers the last time they were in the championship. If that weren't enough, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin was my college graduation speaker. Done deal.
5. When I'm writing about vestment history I keep hearing the voice of Miss Prism in The Importance of Being Earnest: "Dr. Chasuble is waiting for me? In the vestry?"
6. I just finished reading The Hunger Games, which was a completely stunning book. Combining reality TV with gladiator games in a socialist state was a brilliant move. This is what teenage girls should be reading instead of Twilight, which is entertaining but fails to depict brave, real, self-giving love. I can't wait to read the next two books. 
7. The funny Monsignor at my parish with the radio announcer voice is starting to recognize me. Last weekend I was the only person there for confession. We exchanged hellos, then he went in the box and announced "Ok, we're open for business!"

I'll end with this picture of dapper two-time Oscar nominee Colin Firth in The Importance of Being Earnest. Happy Friday!

Image source