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12 days of Solitude


the inside of my homie little office in my apartment is where i'll be confined for the next 12 days...

Well folks, tomorrow is the big day. Thursday morning begins the first of twelve consecutive days of doctoral qualifying exams. As I've mentioned many times before, im being examined in three areas:




1. Methods in Performance Studies: Performativity and Performance

(my questioner is Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett)


2. Methods in American Studies: Ethnographic Approaches in American Studies

(my questioner is Tavia Nyong'o)



3. Critical Race Theory: Queer of Color Critique

(my questioner is Jose Esteban Munoz)




The way its structured here at NYU (at least here in performance studies) is each one of the faculty members on our exam committee presents us with a question that we must basically answer in the form of three 10 page "position" papers.



Naturally, I have no idea what my committee will ask me. It could be something like, "Frank, how did the "postmodern" turn in American anthropology in the 1980s effect the ways in which ethnography was or was/not embraced in the field of American Studies?" or, "what is the status of women of color feminisms in contemporary queer of color critique?" or "what is the difference between performativity and performance and how might you approach this distinction methodologically?"


Really, I dont know what to expect. Health wise, preparing for this exam has worn me out. I have a tooth that needs a root canal and the bags underneath my eyes are disgusting. Im just hoping I can hold it all together for the next two weeks. But I should be aight, hopefully.





Peace and Love,

Frankie

Posted by the young people's professor on 4/10/2007 at 10:04:00 PM |

24 and going for doctorate? Nice. I hope it all works out for ya!

~Sara~
http://wickedrandom.blogspot.com

Posted by Blogger Sara S. | 4/10/2007  

Good luck man, hang in there!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

Frank - here's wishing you the very best!

Posted by Blogger Pamalicious | 4/11/2007  

Frank. Knock it out the park. You appear to be very driven and focused so step into it and finish what you started. I have deeply enjoyed your posts for the past 6 months. I love an educated and well rounded brotha. Holla at me if you're ever down in D.C. Good luck on your exams.

Posted by Blogger Jon C | 4/11/2007  

GOOD LUCK.

I'll send up a prayer for you.


-marz

Posted by Blogger Marz | 4/11/2007  

FRANK U NEED 2 CHECK OUT JUCIY-NEWS AT http://www.juicy-news.blogspot.com/

WHAT SHE IS DOING WITH UR PICTURES R MEAN AND EXTREMELY DISCOURAGING TO UR CULTURE. I JUST THOUGHT I SHOULD GIVE U A HEADS UP. IF IT IS POSSIBLE I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSIDER PRESSING CHARGES BCAUSE I BELIEVE THIS IS A HATE CRIME.

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

does this mean no late night phone calls... no sporadic text messages... for 12 days??

you better take a break on the 18th and acknowledge my day I know that much!!

Posted by Blogger C. Baptiste-Williams | 4/11/2007  

You will do just fine. Stay postive. :-)

Posted by Blogger iii | 4/11/2007  

Good Luck!!!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

hey good luck i know u will work it out and be fine.

Posted by Blogger Andre J. Allen II | 4/11/2007  

Good Luck Frank! You can do it brotha!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

Frank I read your blog as often as I can and there is one thing I am certain of: that you are a very intelligent man. Frank receiving a doctorate at such an early age will validate your intelligence. Go head get your 12 day study on, and cram for the exam.

Posted by Blogger Chet | 4/11/2007  

Frank I read your blog as often as possibel and there is one thing I am certain of: you are a very intelligent young man. Do what you must to receive your doctorial and the onion skin will validate the hard work and dedication you put into your studies.

Posted by Blogger Chet | 4/11/2007  

There's something about seeing shelves and shelves of books that...turns me on?

Wishing you the best, bruh.

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

I wish you good luck. This site has been an inspiration for me. I agee with Afrodyke; the books a huge turn on! Viva la bibliophile!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

Frank go check out that tooth dude...you don't want to mess around and get a really bad infection.

Good luck!!!

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/11/2007  

...you inspire me.
Good luck!

Posted by Blogger blac.sapphic | 4/12/2007  

You're doing big things man. Like blac.sapphic said, you inspire me. As always, I wish you continued success!

Posted by Blogger BuddahDesmond | 4/12/2007  

Hey Frank. I know you will do well. It has been along time coming. Best to you. Keep up the good work.

Posted by Blogger Urbane Concepts | 4/13/2007  

i know you're killing it, man...do well...be well...be blessed...

-ashon

Posted by Blogger AC | 4/15/2007  

seems like you have a lot on your plate, work it out man!

Posted by Blogger JANKO | 4/17/2007  

You got this! Looking forward to celebrating with you in June.
love,
lex

Posted by Blogger lex | 4/18/2007  

frank, i don't know you, but i respect you and wish you all the best. i recently had to defend a (admittedly, small-time) critical interpretation of kirshenblatt-gimblett's reading of goffman... what a formidable intellect, i don't envy you facing down Barbara herself. hope the exams went precisely as you wished. peace.

Posted by Anonymous Anonymous | 4/21/2007  

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