Monday, December 10, 2012

The Good, the Bad, and the Curious: It's All Good Edition

I know that I've neglected you. I have drafts--in various stages--of five different blog posts, but they're just going to have to remain drafts for a few more days at least.

I have been in college for ten years. For many of those years, I've been on both sides of the desk. I know that the end of every single semester is insane, and now I just accept that reality. That doesn't make it any less stressful in the moment, but I have adopted a very Zen-like "this too shall pass" focus. Everything always feels like it is collapsing in May and December, but then there is June and January.

Of course, the fall semester is even worse than the spring because you do a double backflip out of the stress of the semester into a triple flip of the stress (I mean joy!) of the holidays. Plus, instead of a nice, long summer break to look forward to, you have just a few short weeks of break. And it's dark outside at 5 o'clock. Bah humbug!

This semester, I've (foolishly and completely of my own naive volition) added the stress of finally taking my dog to training and having a realtor come out to put my house on the market, all during the week that I have 60 portfolios to grade. On top of all of that, my daughter is--with the help of daycare--barreling through potty training at a breakneck pace, which is great, but which also has me taking her up the stairs 20 times a night because--even though I know she doesn't really have to go that often--how can you tell a potty training kid "no"? Kind of counter intuitive, right? (Speaking of potty training, one of my unfinished blog posts is about the marketing of big kid underwear. Crazy!)

All that to say that I've decided there is enough stress this week, so I am only sharing the links from "The Good": the things that made me smile. Don't worry, there will be plenty of "Bad" and "Curious" for later, but this week, it's all good.

The Good

Slate has a post about a term paper assignment from when Kurt Vonnegut was teaching. How awesome would it be to take his class?
Since there are eighty of you, and since I do not wish to go blind or kill somebody, about twenty pages from each of you should do neatly. Do not bubble. Do not spin your wheels. Use words I know.
Geena Davis has teamed up with Google to put some high-tech magic into analyzing media for women's representations.

The math proves it: final exams are killing all the grandmas.

A video that asks us what we'd do if money didn't matter (I would totally, no lie, do what I'm doing. I love my job.)


These pictures of couples getting married in Seattle now that marriage equality has won. 

What have you been reading/writing? Have any "Good" to add to my hectic week?

1 comment:

  1. 99% of the time i am very very happy with my decision to leave academia. but I had a 1% moment just yesterday. sometimes i really miss the intellectual community and the teaching. as i was talking myself off the cliff, i reminded myself what this time of year used to be like: the stress and anxiety of grading papers while finishing my own chapters while preparing and stressing about interviews (MLA) while taking care of two kids and feigning a holiday spirit! I can’t say I miss those days much. I wish you speed in getting through your 60 portfolios and on to your family’s holiday!

    And the video: what if money didn't matter? Love it. just sent the link to my nieces and nephew who are 19, 21 and 22. All trying to find their way…

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