Vandana Singh’s The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and Other Stories

Professor Masood Raja lent me his signed copy of Vandana Singh’s The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and Other Stories (2008) a few months ago. Mrs. Singh is an Indian science fiction and fantasy author, who also holds a PhD in theoretical particle physics. You may read some of her work and learn more about her on her official website here.

Due to my PhD reading lists and an enormous amount of other work, I have only just now got around to reading the short story for which the collection got its name, and I can only say, wow, it’s a really great story. “The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet” is a whimsical answer to the more paranoid invasion stories of Philip K. Dick or the alarming nanotech transformations of Greg Bear. Her writing style reminds me of the fleshiness and texture found in the works of Ted Chiang and Ian McDonald. The “aliens” of this story are not from out there, but from the woman herself. She creates them, and they in turn care for the planet that gave them birth. Her creations, which she is trying to learn how to understand, and her changed behavior as a planet among human beings challenges the relationships of husband-wife/male-female while turning issues of class and face on their heads.

You should check out Mrs. Singh’s collection on the basis of this one story, and if you have the time, let me know what you think of the other stories.

Sanitizing Wipes in KSU Computer Classrooms

It’s great having sanitizing wipes in the MOU computer classrooms. However, they would be more effective if they weren’t locked inside a dispenser that prevents you from actually pulling the sanitizing wipes out of the case. Keys and coins were ineffective at opening the case. I’m thinking the cases are actually a sly attempt at hiding the university’s antiviral treasure in plain sight. Sneaky, yet effective.

Police Sirens In Kent, Ohio

Maybe it’s just because I’ve been at home a lot more lately barreling through my PhD exam reading list, but it sure does seem like there have been many more police sirens racing past our house on Main Street than in recent memory. Perhaps it is because there are more students in Kent now that Fall semester is under way, but I cannot say for certain that these police sirens are responding to student incidents. Maybe the groundhogs of Kent, Ohio are rioting or the geese loiterers are uppity. So it goes.

Cleaning Up My Desk, Fortunes

Yufang knows that I have a predilection for fortune cookies and the tiny nuggets of hope or simple observations that they provide. I have kept ones that feel right and others that are downright funny. Here are the best, preserved digitally, before the paper slips fall into the dustbin.

You need to forgive that person today. Just believe me.

Okay, I believe you.

A truly creative person rids him or herself of all self-imposed limitations.

P.C.–nice.

Your winsome smile will be your sure protection.

My smile is really that good–it can deflect bullets and keep me warm when it’s cold outside.

The best way to predict the future is to create it.

If I had a nickel for every time I’ve got this one, I’d have $0.10.

Remember to balance your personal and professional lives.

This one is tough.

Today, you are wiser than usual, and also less anxious.

So, I’m not normally that wise. Thanks.

You will meet an important person who will help you advance professionally.

Nice.

When the mouse looks upon the cat, there must be an escape route nearby.

You’ve heard about that one already.

Stop searching forever. Happiness is just next to you.

And she was.