It's bad that it's two weeks before classes start and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. Meeting today, tomorrow, Thursday, Monday--all before faculty are supposed to be back. And every time I try to draw a line in the sand (with the support of my direct report), someone yanks me over it. I'm already done with semester, and it hasn't even started yet ( Read more... )

Okay, let's list the good stuff ( Read more... )

I got some of the best papers I've ever gotten for the EN 101 argument paper from ONE of my sections. I did a number of things differently for the two sections, and the high performing section was a unique population. I need to really think through everything that was different and try to understand what factors are most likely the significant ( Read more... )

Bills paid. Only one a little late. Except I'm not sure I got a bill. Because of STUPID postal carriers who keep misdelivering mail ( Read more... )

What sucks ( Read more... )

So, I've wanted an iPad for awhile now, mostly for work. I'd tried using my NOOK as a tablet for meetings, conferences, etc., class, you know--the whole academic thing. But the NOOK is primarily a reading device, at which it works beautifully. I really needed an iPad, especially with the lovely way I can hook one of those into the SmartClassrooms. ( Read more... )

While I've always loved the play, I never could quite "buy" A Midsummer Night's Dream. This is largely because the notion of falling asleep, outside, on Midsummer Eve was just ludicrous. It is often in the 40s or 50s here on that night (Faherenheit for those of you who have succumbed to the pedantry of decimal mania), so just "falling asleep" in ( Read more... )

Since I am exhausted, and in significant pain, I think I'd best do this now than waiting until after dinner ( Read more... )

Lots of "queering" today (applications of "queer theory" [queer theory encompasses any kind of sexual activity or identity that falls into non-normative and/or deviant categories]). Applications to Prometheus, The Tempest(2010) and Prospero's Books (1991), and tangentially to others.

The treatment of disability in Expendable (novel) and the ( Read more... )

Sundry "nuggets" from the day:

1. Supernatural is misogynistic, has no strong women, and Grimm restructures fairy tales with originally strong female characters so that the women "need rescuing." And Once Upon a Time has strong women, but only in the pursuit of restoring "family" and once that is accomplished we're to understand they will return ( Read more... )