Late night grading

The end of the semester is just around the corner. Just a million things to do before it's over. Then I'll soon be out of both my jobs which is a bit of a relief. I have too much to do (ah, the Academic's crazy logic).

I did hear that sadly, a third job has not manifested. While I will be in LA this summer, it will be for three weeks, not six. The second session did not fill. I suppose what with the economy tanking, parents are sending their little brilliant kids to more science and math classes than studying the graphic novel. Such a shame because I was looking forward to the class (but I'm also glad because I would have been so tired after that).

Maybe it's grading late at night that makes me just want to sleep and not work at all? It's been a tough year and I'm looking forward to a little downtime -- not to mention an honest-to-goodness vacation! Though with family aboard, maybe not so downish time.

Some more interesting posts also loom. With the spring, I become philosophical....

Feeling Groovy

Thanks to a gift certificate from my sister, I treated myself to a massage tonight. My new best friend, Christina, must have worked on my shoulders the entire time. How did I think that fifty minutes was going to get rid of what has been literally riding my back for months now? Still, I feel pretty groovy. I'm definitely tempted to book another one with her.

My presentation lays untouched for the moment. I'm waiting for screams from Australia to happen any moment now but doesn't seem to be the case as of yet. I also have a stack of midterms to grade, and I had a panic attack that midterm grades were due tomorrow (thank all that is bright and beautiful that it was not the case). I was also very annoyed by annoying events all day (ironic that they do that, right?). I kept chanting...I will be relaxed very soon.....

Snow

A heavy wet snow has blanketed my town. The trees look lovely. I'm dreading the shoveling, however. Thankfully this did not interfere with teaching. The roads should be clear by tomorrow's class.

So, class went well on Friday. The afternoon session was a little draggy, but we will make do. The morning class was surprisingly lively. They had a good time with the exercise I planned for them. We did mad libs with two Dickinson and one Stevens poem. We also listened to a Billy Collins poem on Youtube. I think they, like the Queen, surprised themselves that they were enjoying poetry. As I told them, "you don't like every kind of music, do you? Well, there's a poem out there that you will like." Students seemed to loosen up a bit. I think it will be a good semester. Now, if I can only get my work done.

Been listening to the Breeders, a blast from the past. Just watched volume three of Mushishi and the second volume of a Korean trilogy, Oldboy (manga by Dark Horse). I first heard about this Korean hit when they mentioned it in context of the Virginia Tech shootings. Apparently, the nutcase liked the film, posed with a hammer (which the protagonist uses). This prompted a brief slew of "media causes violence!!" outcries. Of course, I had to see what the fuss was. The movie was okay. I really liked Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance better which was I found more gruesome and funnier. Reminded me a little of Kurosawa's film, High and Low.

Hopefully snow won't interfere with my birthday plans. If you are in New London on the last weekend of January, let me know. We can meet up and listen to some music, have a drink. There's always a lot going on -- art, music, and food at the Salon des Independants.

Stardate December 19...The Story So Far.

I sit all day in front a computer and now I sit all night in front of my computer. How can this be right? So, what's your excuse?? Am also watching my favorite holiday special, South Park's Christmas Critter special.

Well, to sum up the week since I survived my harrowing drive home (and now the fun of ice!). On Friday night, had a real ZOMBIE at Aloha Alochohula. You know it started to work when you felt the need to nosh on brains. I didn't drink too much because I had to get up and help lead services Saturday morning. What I like the most about the people at this synagogue is just how helpful everybody is. So, we are standing up there and, despite a cheat sheet, we sometimes don't know what is supposed to happen next. So, ask the audience and they help out. It takes a village.....

Saturday afternoon was game "night" with goodies and gossip! I'm sure J-zone heard more than enough about hair products than he ever cared to.

Saturday night and Sunday, I spent all the time finishing my students' research papers. There were some low points (and a few high ones). At least I didn't completely despair that I was the worst teacher on the face of the earth. On Monday, another instructor and I worked on placement for next semester. I allowed some of my students to come talk to me about their papers and placement (just one more teaching chance! "Wait! I have to tell you how World War II ends. We won!!! USA! USA! USA!") I was there until eight and had to talk two students "off the ledge."

Monday night, I called to with a very, very happy birthday to Miss Kate! Happy b-day!

Tuesday I had lunch with a special guest in from the West Coast -- Ms. Bertoni. She was visiting family in New York and had to drive her father to Brainard airport to pick up a two-seater plane he had bought. As proper ladies who lunch, we went to Rein's Deli in Vernon (ok, as two Jewish ladies who lunch). She and Lisa are doing extremely well and it was great to see her. Rachel is changing jobs, and it sounds like a great opportunity. After that and on Wednesday, busy, busy, busy (WHY did I start another job this week??)

Netflix viewings: Twin Peaks, season two (besides the clothing and hairstyles, holds up pretty well); an anime series that even my neighbor likes (there is an anime for everybody)-- Mushishi; and finally saw Stranger than Fiction which was worth it just for Emma Thompson and Maggie Gyllenhal.

Oh, and forgot to say that I talked to Ms. Hunt (check out her awesome webcomic listed to the right. She's got a new artist who I really like).

*whew* that ought to hold y'all for a while.