What's your song? DANCE Par-tay!

It's time again for the "What's your song?" link-up with Goodnight Moon! 

I love 90s music--especially the cheesy stuff that reminds me of my younger, crazier days.  You know, the stuff that makes you want to get up and dance and not even care who's watching?  Or, nowadays, I just jam out in the car and not care if the person at the stoplight next to me sees or hears.  Well, last summer, I was in the car and "Faded" by soulDecision came on the radio and *boom* I'm back in college, rockin' out!  I went home, found it on iTunes, and put it on the iPod.  This is all happening as I am insanely cramming for my first (of 3) PhD comprehensive exams...in social theory (gag).  So, on my way to and from the library, I would listen to this song to keep me grounded, keep me awake, keep me bouncing, and keep me in as good of a mood as possible--it was one of the songs I was able to just enjoy without analyzing the lyrics with social theory.  (I know...nerd alert AGAIN.)  Anywho, on the morning of the exam, I listened to it on repeat the whole way to the university to try and keep myself distracted/calm-ish.  I listened to it the whole way home after the grueling 5+ hours.  And, after about a month of worrying, not knowing the results of this horrible exam experience, I found out I passed...woo hoo!!!  So, now, this song has even more special meaning to me.  I'm getting ready to embark on my second comp exam--in methods.  I started to break out this song again, but I want to keep it special for theory.  So now I'm in the market for *new* older, bouncy song to keep my spirits up on this latest chase of successfully completing another 6ish hours knowledge regurgitation...I'm open to suggestions for a methods comp theme song!

Social Disorganization...and allergies? (a work in conspiracy theory)

I am working on a paper with a theoretical framework of social disorganization theory. This theory revolves around your social world (i.e. your neighborhood) influencing behavior. In my studies, I often reflect on how these theories are relevant in my own life--sometimes in an academic, sociological sort of way and sometimes in a ridiculous dorky type of way...which is where this blog comes in. :)

While working on this paper recently, I have thought about the idea that my neighbors might intervene on my behalf should some crime start to take place in my quiet, suburban neighborhood. I think they would--I KNOW some would. But then my mind wanders...are my neighbors really out to get me?!?

I have terrible allergies and the beginning of the fall season here has reminded me just how miserable they can make me. There are lots of trees in my yard, sometimes I forget my allergy medicine, and blah blah blah that I have blamed it on. Today I actually woke up without much reminder of my insane hay fever, allergic rhinitis, alleged eustachian tube dysfunction, officially diagnosed enlarged turbinates, and post-nasal drip. It was a good morning.

K and I went outside to play with some sidewalk chalk. It is the first day in I don't know how long that the sun was shining and it was not raining. Our outside adventure was relatively pleasant and allergy symptom-free. Then, my neighbor started mowing his yard. I could literally see the allergens coming my way--but at that point, I made no connection, just thought it was a bit dusty.

I was talking to another neighbor when I nearly passed out from my violent dry hacking cough. My eyes filled with water yet felt painful and dry all at the same time. My nose felt like it swelled shut almost in a second. As I attempted to explain my allergies to my neighbor, she made me feel more comfortable and less like the nerd with the nose spray at summer camp by telling me she had the same problem. I quickly tried to clean up and politely explain to K that we had to go in because mommy couldn't breathe.

I made it. But my day has taken a downward turn. My intentions were to work out after we came in and then get a project for class tomorrow completed. But now I can't shake the cough and I can't breathe...No good workout and who knows if I will find the motivation to work ahead. Is this some sort of conspiracy? Probably not. I have the greatest neighbors. But it could be possible that these people are trying to squelch my academic career and fitness goals with pollen, mold spores, and grass. Again, probably not but I do love conspiracy theories (hello, Kennedys!) and I have talked to people about how there should be a book series comprised of exaggerated characters that live in my neighborhood. Maybe it's just that this is the first time I have been away from a military town in so long that "normalcy" of social life seems freakish to me. Whatever it is, I think this conspiracy theory would play well into a plot twist in the series...

Help Wanted:

Upper Management Level Position...in theory--to help manage my time and jump into my mind to help me understand the way theory and practice work together, sociologically speaking. Candidate should be well-versed in classical and contemporary sociological theory; a vast and complex knowledge of the world of philosophy is a plus. Ideal candidate will be able to take very abstract concepts that have nothing to do with reality and put them into understandable, concrete terms that make sense in my world. The ability to completely dehumanize yourself to see how society impacts the individual so much that, in theory, the individual has internalized society to the point that one may not be separated from the other is a necessary trait for this position. Compensation will be the non-monetary payment of being my hero.

Equal Opportunity Employer

P.S. Yes...that's Karl Marx throwin' the peace sign :) (Oh I am contemplating all of the ironies and theoretical discussions that could be had on this post......)