The Waiting Room

Husband and I are getting ready to leave for our trip to Hometown for the weekend. It helps that Husband and I grew up in the same town and our families are still there, but that's where the ease of such a trip ends. There is the constant pressure to visit people and there is just not enough time in a weekend to do so. And even though family members say that they are not upset that Husband and I did not visit, I know it's a crock because I end up hearing about it later through the family grapevine.

This weekend it going to be interesting because Husband has plans with his brother for Saturday. I also have plans with Piglet for Saturday as well. So, I figured that Husband and I could visit with my family on Sunday. Since we are staying with Husband's parents, we will be spending a great amount of time with them. But, NOOOOO. Husband informed me that his mother and his brother's wife are planning this family dinner thing for New Year's Eve, despite the fact that we have other plans. This dinner is going to be held at his brother's house which is in Burg City, an hour from Hometown. This dinner thing is not optional because we did not visit for Christmas. So, this means that we will have to stay at my brother-in-law's house overnight and leave on Monday to return to Lake Effect Snow Central.

On top of all of that, I have not told my mom or my in-laws about my losing my job. I am not going to tell them just yet. I just don't want to deal with the fallout. My mom will insist that my losing my job was racially motivated. My father-in-law will have his 20 questions about what happened. Then, I will hear "Why don't you just go back to practicing law?" or "Well, can't you just get a job at X?" And then, to make things worse, my father-in-law will start sending me job information, especially if the job is located in or near Hometown. My father-in-law has been on this quest for the past 15 years to get Husband and I to return to Hometown. Yeah, like that is EVER going to happen.

So, off I go, biting my tongue all the way.

This will be my last post for the year. Have a Happy New Year and have a drink on me!

I spent a lovely two days with Husband and the Boy. The Boy was too cute on Christmas day. He instantly knew which presents were his. I think his favorite is a stuffed Canadian goose with a squeaker that honks like a goose. He spent most of the day walking around with it in his mouth. Sometimes, he can be such a Lab! (FYI: The Boy is German Shepard-Lab mix)

Husband and I decided to go light on the gifts this year, mostly because there really wasn't much that either of us wanted. Husband thinks I spoil him! He is right of course. I love buying gifts for people! I think his favorite is this book. I also bought him some cold weather workout gear, so he can continue running, even when it's cold. I also bought him some clothes from Old Navy and some CDs.

Husband did a good job. He gave me:

• "Cross" by James Patterson (I love the Alex Cross series!!).
• Two piano books; one was a Sarah McLachlan song book.
• "From This Moment On" by Diana Krall and "These Four Walls" by Shawn Colvin (Both great CDs!)
• Fumbling Towards Ecstasy Live with Sarah McLachlan
• This sweater and two V-neck tees from Ann Taylor Loft
• Sweats and a hoodie for lounging
• Body Shop stuff

Yesterday, we saw "The Pursuit of Happyness." I laughed. I cried. I felt better about my own circumstance. Go see it!!!!

Today, I am meeting LB for lunch. It will be nice to get out of the house with a good friend. Friday, Husband and I are traveling to Hometown to visit and exchange belated Christmas gifts. Plus, my dear best buddy, Piglet, and I will partake in our Boxing Day Shopping Spectacular, albeit a few days late.

It's getting a little better 'round here.

Taking a few days off to enjoy Christmas with Husband and the Boy.

Merry Christmas and peace to all of you!!!!

Thanks to Addy N. for helping me get into the holiday spirit!

1. Eggnog or hot chocolate? hot chocolate with whipped cream
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just put them under the tree? Absolutely wrapped. I love to wrap presents. I probably should get a job as a gift-wrapper.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Colored
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put your decorations up? Usually as soon as I find the time to do it.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Stuffing!
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? One year, my dad decided to get back at my brother for opening presents before anyone else. He locked my brother in his bedroom until 7 AM. Then, he made my brother wait until after breakfast and church before he could open his presents. It was about noon before my brother could enjoy his gifts!
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth?
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No, but Husband's family does. I think it sucks the fun out of the whole experience.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Lights, ball ornaments and beaded garland. And of course my Hallmark "Snoopy " ornaments. I get a new one every year. This year is Snoopy as the Legal Beagle!
11. Snow! Love it or dread it? Love it. Sadly, we will not have a white Christmas in Lake Effect Snow Central.
12. Can you ice skate? Yes. I used to take lessons as a kid. I used to be able to do some of those jumps you see on TV, with only one rotation. I would probably break my neck if I tried them now!
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? The Barbie Camper - 1974
14. What's the most important thing about the holidays for you? Spending it with family and friends.
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Sweet Potato Pie!
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We used to drive through the neighborhoods in my hometown to look at all the lights.
17. What tops your tree? A star with lights.
18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? Giving.
19. What is your favorite Christmas song? Anything from "A Charlie Brown Christmas"
20. Candy canes? Yep!
21. Favorite Christmas movie? "It's a Wonderful Life"

I am at a place where I can talk a little about what happened. So here goes:

I posted that I was required to report to work on Wednesday, despite having all of my grades submitted. I was told that FW (Fuckwit for those of you who are new or forgot) was coming in to challenge the plagiarism. Plus, I, along all the other adjuncts, had not received my schedule for the next semester. So, I literally sat on my ass for most of the day.

Around 2 PM, the Dean called me into her office. She got right to the point in telling me that there were enough instructors to cover my courses and she was choosing not to renew my contract. The chill in her voice, was clear that this was not the entire reason. She began to give me some song and dance about enrollment for the next term being low. I told her that I could not help but think that the real reason had to do with a certain student (FW), and the two other cases of plagiarism that I found. (One case involved a student who was supposed to graduate this semester and needed my Survey of Law course to do so). She said that could not say if it was that, only that she was not going to renew my contract. There was no "I am so sorry" or "I wish I could have kept you". Nothing. It was cold, unsympathetic and unprofessional.

[Let me divert into a little primer on employment law. My status at the college is as an "at will" employee. As an "at will" employee, the employer can fire you for any reason without notice.]

So, I walked out of her office. I knew I was going to cry, so I headed to a stairway. I lost it. GML happened to see me and asked what happened. I told her and I just fell apart. A couple of other colleagues saw me and gave me comfort. Even one of my students saw the commotion and tried to help.

Just then, the Dean comes by and see me crying with my colleagues comforting me. She walks up to me and says "Seeking Solace, what is wrong?" Just like that.

I wanted to punch her in the mouth. I wanted to go off on her. I wanted to say "You insensitive bitch." "You just fired me and you have the balls to ask me such a stupid fucking question?" What kind of crack are you on?"I wanted to leave with some shred of dignity and professionalism, so I literally counted to ten and said "I will be fine." and I headed back to my work area to clear out my stuff. As I cleared out, I told some of my colleagues what happened. The shock on their faces was more than words could describe. And that was it. GML, LB and H helped my carry my stuff out to Husband who was waiting for me. I cried the entire way home.

The truth is, I know why I was fired. People can say what they want about numbers, enrollment, retention. or whatever buzz-word you want to use. I was fired because I set high standards for my students. I have ethics and integrity. I will not tow the line because it makes the college look good. I know it had more to do with FW and plagiarism than any of the bullshit the Dean tried to sell me.

And that is truly sad.

I feel like someone ripped out a piece of my soul. I feel like I am mourning a loss. Everyone keeps telling me that this is for the best. But right now, I just can't accept that rationale. Maybe in a few days, but not now. I am trying to sort through all of this. I cancelled my plans to visit family for the Christmas weekend. I don't want to deal with any of it right now. Plus, I have a horrible head cold. Talk about insult to injury. So, Husand and I are going to spend a quiet Christmas at home with the Boy and maybe travel to Hometown next weekend.

Words can not express my gratitude to everyone for their comments of sympathy and kindness about my job loss. You all are truly the best. Thank you so much!

Well, that's it. I don't have too much more to say right now.

I was fired today.

I will let you all know what happened, but right now, I need some time.

So here I sit. I finished writing two letter of recommendation for students. I am supposed to meet with the Dean about FW sometime this morning, but no one has indicated when.

Husband gave me one of my Christmases presents today. He figured that since I am stuck at work, I might as well have something enjoyable to read.

So I graded my last paper, dealt with all my plagiarism issues, calculated and doubled checked all of my grades and signed off on my grade reports. You would think that I would be doing the "I am done for the semester" happy dance. Right?

Oh, no my dear friends. That would be too easy.

Since tomorrow is still a class day, I still have to show up for work in case a student has a question. That's right, my friends. Even though my grades are turned in and none of my students have anything to submit, I have to show up for work tomorrow and Thursday and sit on my ass on the off chance that a student may have a question. Even though my students know that I do not tell them their grades and my college has a policy that prohibits the posting of grades, I have to go and sit from 8: 30 to 2:30 because a student may have a question or want to discuss something with me. What question could possibly come up remains a mystery and so far, no one has given a satisfactory example.

So, I thought to myself, "OK, I can work on my syllabi for the next semester, right? Wrong again. None of the adjuncts received their schedules for next semester. The administration will not tell us. They will not even give us an idea of what any adjunct will be teaching, even if you have taught the course in the past. Their reason? No clue. The administration keeps back-peddling and waffling. Many of my fellow adjuncts are seriously considering quitting because of this.

Oh and of course I can't forget FW. Yesterday, he met with the Dean to discuss his plagiarizing his paper for my class. He admitted that he did it. Case closed, right? You know where this is going! He called today to say that he is going to fight the charge and he is going to bring an English teacher with him to prove that I don't know what I am doing.

If this is someone's idea of a joke, I am so not laughing.

Addy N had a post about feeling guilty about the grade distribution in her courses. Why does it bother us as instructors if there are a few C's and/or D's in our courses? It almost seems personal. I am not sure why. I often wonder if I am being too hard or am I not requiring enough of my students.

How much control do we have when it comes to student outcomes? If a student chooses not to do the work, despite all of our efforts to assist him or her, should we just write them off? My gut reaction is yes. If you don't complete the work, then you deserve the consequence of a low or failing grade. Then there are those who fall into what I call the "hard C" category. The "Hard C" is those students who come to class, do the work, and get extra help. But the best they can do is a "C". You want to reward the fact that the student really tried, but at the same time, you risk the fear of grade inflation, which ultimately rewards the "D"and "F" students.

The administrators at my college seem to think that the lack of student success is the fault of the faculty. My colleagues and I are bombarded with "What have you done for the students lately?" Graduation rates a down, so in addition to our regular responsibilities, we have to track down the students in our classes to find out why they are not doing well. I teach at a small college with about 1100 students. It would be impossible for me to contact all of my students to find out why they are not doing what they are supposed to do. And, it's not my job.

I have a situation in one of my classes where two students attended regularly and completed any in class work that I assigned when I was absent. I have to have a substitute instructor either teach my classes or give the students busy work. Since not too many of my colleagues are qualified to teach my law classes, I am stuck giving the students busy work. That work was to be submitted upon my return. I use that work as extra credit toward the final grade. Well, there is one student who did complete any of the additional assignments. He also has not submitted a good portion of the course work. As a result, he has an "F" in my class. If I just give him the points that he would have received had he completed the extra assignments, he will pass. (70% is passing at my college). If I don't, he will receive an "F". I am torn, because this student is a pain in the ass and thinks that I treat him unfairly. I did not allow him to turn an assignment that was late because he had a questionable excuse and could not provide documentation to support it. So, do I just pass him to get him out of my hair, or do I fail him because it is not fair to the two that did the extra work?

I don't get any of it.

Two more cases of plagiarism. One student did the usual cut and paste job. The other cut and paste sections from a website but cited it as a different website.

Plus, my Divorce Form Hell will continue into next year. Opposing counsel did not provide me with the information I need by the 4 PM deadline. So, I will have that hanging over my head.

LB just told me the FW is pissed because I busted him for plagiarism. He says he is going to bring an English teacher with him when he meets with the Dean to prove that I have no clue what I am doing.

Here are some of my holiday faves. Nice to listen to when you are grading.

Enjoy!

Christmastime is Here byVince Guaraldi
Blue Christmas by Elvis Presley
Silent Night by The Temptations
This Christmas by Donny Hathaway
O Holy Night by Mariah Carey
What Child is This? by Sarah McLachlan
River by Joni Mitchell
The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole
Let it Snow by Diana Krall
God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman by Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by U2
Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bruce Springsteen
The Chanukah Song (Version I and II) by Adam Sander
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Frank Sinatra
Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon (Too bad you can't download it.)

I don't blog much about my family. In the past, I have written about my dad and I mentioned that my mom has cancer. Honestly, I think the drama that goes on in my family could fill a whole separate blog or be plot in a Lifetime movie

But I have to blog about this.

My mom has this annoying habit of leaving cryptic messages on my answering machine. "Call me right away, it's important." Usually, it's not that urgent, but I am always afraid that it will be the one phone call where my mom does not cry wolf.

So, I call her, thinking that someone has passed away or is in jail. (Yes, I have family member who have serious trouble with the law. That's why I do not have a license to practice law in my home state. All my clients would be family members.) Anyway, here's the conversation.

Mom: K is pregnant again. She is due in January/ (K is my brother's baby's mama. My brother cheated on his wife, the end result being my Nephew, which my brother does not aw knowledge).
Me: So...
Mom: Well, this is her fourth child. (Nephew was the third) I can't believe she has four kids to four different men.
Me: Mom, you called to tell me this. I thought someone died or something.
Mom: Well, I thought you should know. How is Nephew going to deal with this (Nephew is three years old).
Me: Mom, I don't know. But, it is not our problem.
Mom: I spent the entire day crying over this.

When I finally calmed my mom down, I hung up the phone thinking "I could have gone the entire night without having to know this information." As soon as I got off the phone, Husband says "Let me guess...K is pregnant." "Someone get that girl some birth control!"

Honestly, did I really need to know that K is pregnant? I would probably figured it out when Husband and I stop by during Christmas to visit Nephew. And I am not going to get into the fact that K has another "baby's daddy."

Nothing like family drama at the holidays.

I have been in this funk for the past week.

• The loss of GML's dog really hit me hard. Partly because I am a dog mom too. But, it took me back to when I had to put Duke to sleep five years ago after he was losing his battle with cancer. Even though I have dealt with the loss of a pet before, Duke's passing was very hard. So when GML's dog died, it brought back a flood of memories.
• I am disgusted with the insensitivity of the people I work with. I think I mentioned that for our faculty luncheon, we are having roast beef (which I don't like) and chicken piccata (which I can't eat because the restaurant makes it with mushrooms). Then, they are serving red potatoes and garlic potatoes and a chef salad. I am not paying $10.00 to eat potatoes and a salad! I can't believe that my colleagues voted this way. So, I am not attending the luncheon as my form of silent-passive-aggressive protest. If GML is on campus, maybe she and I can do lunch. Besides, we can drink!
• The Divorce From Hell is still alive and kicking. I found out that all judgements must be in the judge's chamber by close of business on the 18th. So, I have been frantically running around trying to get opposing counsel and the law guardian to get off their asses and sign off on the judgement, which I wrote to them about TWO WEEKS AGO and have been stalking them ever since. Then, there was this matter of my misplacing my copy of the trial transcript (VERY BAD!). I spent part of Thursday trying to get another copy. Today, I received opposing counsel's approval letter. Now, I am just waiting for the law guardian.
• Grading, grading and more grading. 'Nuff said.
• My right shoulder is almost non-functioning. I don't want to pull out the friend card with my chiropracter (she is a good friend and I have never used our friendship to get a rush appointment). But I am desperate! Drugs and Biofreeze only work for so long.
• I still don't know what I am teaching next semester. All adjuncts at my college are pissed because we don't have our schedules yet. Retention is really down, so some of us may only have one or two classes. On a positive note, I got a call from Community College who said that my application is being forward to the CJ department.

So, in order to get de-funked, Husband and I are going out to a local tree farm and we are going to cut our own Christmas tree. Having an artificial is sacrilege in my house. Pre-cuts don't last as long. But, we always have fun.

Now, I just hope the lights work!

So much has been going on the in Waiting Room this year. Here are the highlights.

January 2006: Blogging about the Boy, getting back on the workout track and an new course that is just not working.
February 2006: The usual student insanity and lots of shopping! And of course, the Boys in Black and Gold won the Super Bowl!
March 2006: So much evil in the world, from students to people on the subway.
April 2006: Aruba, baby!!!
May 2006: The glory of being a dog mom.
June 2006: Tribute to my dad
July 2006: The continuing saga of a Ding Dong Student and Doggie Date Night.
August 2006: One of the worst emails I have ever received.
September 2006: A new boss, a little prissy brat joins the faculty and a faculty member who does not see a good opportunity when it is right in front of him.
October 2006: Introducing...FW!
November 2006: How I kicked FW's butt and my 20th high school reunion.
December 2006: End of semester student insanity, a missed concert, a flooded basement and the loss of GML's beautiful Zoey.

I just finished teaching my last class for the semester. One of the students in that class gave me a Christmas present. She gave me a beautiful candle. How sweet!

Now, I have to dive into the pile of research papers. Any suggestions on what to drink? I am thinking about Bailey's on the rocks in honor of the holidays!

Last Monday, I had my Employment Law class draw numbers to determine who would be first for the oral exam. Average Student chose the first slot, Lazy Student Who Cheats chose the second, and Awesome Student chose the third. I told them that they would not know the questions in advance. I also told them that they would not get the same questions. Lazy Student's face turned white. He had this look of fear on his face. I had set up the exam so that he could not cheat his way through it. Plus, he could not press Awesome Student for answers. He would have to study.

Today was the exam. Average Student did quite well. Awesome Student did awesome, as usual. Lazy Student crashed and burned. I kept throwing him a bone to help him out, but it was clear that he did not study. He kept confusing the words "subjective" and "objective", so I had to stop and explain the difference. Later, Awesome Student stopped by to see me about a recommendation (which I was happy to give. I would clone her if I could). She told me that Lazy Student pumped her for information about her questions and bitched because Lazy Student thought that her questions were easier.

I have not completed their final grades yet. But, I really want Lazy Student to fail. I know that sounds bad and I know that I will see him again, but I don't think he deserves to pass. It will probably screw up my karma, but I can't help thinking that way.

FW submitted a paper filled with plagiarism. But what makes this so frustrating is that when he submitted his rough draft two weeks ago, I marked the sections that were plagiarized. I also had a discussion with him, reiterating what constitutes plagiarism and what he needs to do to fix the problem. I reminded him what the consequences would be for submitting a paper containing plagiarism. You would think after all of that, he would correct the mistakes.

Did I mention that his paper was about ethics in the accounting field?

It's 9:30 AM and already I need a drink.

Sadly, GML's dog passed away yesterday. She had a massive tumor. She was only six years old.

There was no warning, no symptoms of a problem. No one could have predicted it.

There was still so much left to enjoy. So many years left...

How do you reconcile that? How do you wrap your mind around it?

Why now?

For GML, Zoey was more than a pet or a friend. She was part of who GML is, someone who gives of herself unselfishly, is always up for a good frolic and displays unquestioned loyalty. For GML, I think she lost a little of herself yesterday.

Many of you know "Rainbow Bridge" which was written to comfort those who have lost a beloved pet. I know deep down that Zoey is there, frolicking in a meadow and swimming in a pond with the sun shinning on her. That thought alone reassures me that all dogs do go to Heaven.

Godspeed, Zoey.

Only two out of eight students submitted research papers in my Critical Thinking class. FW submitted his, but he added "I don’t think I cited all my sources." Gee, do you think you should have checked that BEFORE you decided to submit the paper?

Student in my Employment Law class is still whining about the oral exam. I think for the first time, he is actually afraid that he may not pass my class. He is also mad because I will not accept an essay he submitted two days late.

We are having a faculty luncheon next week. We had to choose two entries with the top two being selected. The top two are chicken picatta and roast beef. I can't eat the chicken picatta because the restaurant makes it with mushrooms, which I am allergic. I can't pick them out either. And I do not like roast beef. So, I guess I will have to load up on veggie and salad.

My colleagues are not sensitive to the needs of others. One of my colleagues told me to just pick out the mushrooms. GML is a vegetarian and gets a great deal of grief because of it. She is not militant or judgmental about being a vegetarian, but she would like others to consider that there are people who would like a meatless option. Although I am a former vegetarian, I often opt for meatless option. (I think I mentioned before that I had to return to eating some meat after my RA diagnosis, just to get back in balance. I am considering going back o being a veggie.)

Speaking of GML, her pooch is very sick. She may need surgery. GML is really upset. Sending positive thoughts to you and your little girl!

My right shoulder is killing me. I dislocated it several years ago and it did not heal properly. Around this time of year, it is very painful from carrying my shoulder bag and sitting at the computer. I am on the cancellation list with my chiropractor. But it still HURTS. I guess I will have to break out the BioFreeze.

Husband and I are going to see these guys. At least this time, we will not have to travel far and the weather is supposed to corporate.

So to honor them, here is today's playlist:

Brian Wilson (Live version)
One Week
Grade 9
Pinch Me
When I Fall
It's All Been Done
The Old Apartment
Another Postcard
If I Had A Million Dollars
Wind it Up
Thanks That Was Fun
Jane

I had this version of White Christmas on my blog last year. I loved it so much that I just had to post it again!

I love the reindeer back up singers!

Enjoy!

Christmas shopping is 90% complete. I have to go out an get gift cards for the older nieces and godchildren. I also have to buy wine for those who are getting the gift of a good buzz for Christmas.

I am picking out some things for the Boy for Christmas. Yes, I buy gifts for the Boy! He was a very good dog this year. Of course, he will have treats and toys, but I am thinking about a new bed for upstairs. He has one for the living room and one in our bedroom. Our bedroom has hardwood floors and since the Boy is getting a bit older (He is six), I am concerned about his joints. I did see a cool bed here which has heat and massage. Sweet. But I think I should have one of those before my dog! Drs. Foster and Smith have some nice ones that are orthopedic and have a bolster. The Boy loves having a bolster!

• I just returned from holiday shopping with GML. Always a good time. But I so want this! Maybe Husband will get it for me for Christmas???
• I got the invite to change over to Blogger Beta. Is that supposed to be a good thing?
• I can't believe that I have a light work weekend. I think it is the calm before the storm of research projects that are due next week.
• My neighbor is having new siding installed on her house. The Boy does not like the guy doing the work. He growls and barks at him!
• None of the adjuncts have their schedules for next semester yet. Hello...I would like to know what I am teaching and when I am teaching it!!!
• It is FREEZING COLD here!!!!
• And finally...

Telling me that the coffee machine was broken. That was 9:00 AM

And then it went downhill from there.

10:00 AM: Massive headache and no Tylenol. Plus, the coffee machine is still broken. Had to run to the store.

11:00 AM: I gave my Critical Thinking students a work day for their research paper. I told them I would be in the classroom if they wanted to meet with me. FW stopped by and asked me why I stated on his rough draft that a particular section was plagiarism. I explained to him that the information he used was not cited in the body of his paper or in his reference page. He claimed that he listed some dictionary as his source. I then explained that the source in question was the information regarding the Enron scandal. He then told me that he cited that source as a web page in the reference page. I told him that web-page that he cited was not the source for the Enron article, but another source properly documented in his paper. He then said "I guess the rumors were true. You do check EVERY source." (Don't worry, I made a copy of his draft and the website where he plagiarized...just in case)

11:30 AM: Student does not show up for his meeting with me. I guess he is OK with failing my class. (Thanks everyone for your input. I would have done a combination of both options.)

11:45 AM: One of my colleagues told me that a student in my law class has announced to her and other students that he intends to cheat on next week's oral exam. He plans to sit in the room and listen to the questions asked of the other students. He figured that I have to ask the students the same questions because it would not be fair. Of course I had already planed for such an event. I put in the information packet for the exam that I would be using the Dean's office for the oral and that students would wait in the Dean's reception area until I escorted them to and from the exam. Plus, any student found lurking around during the exam will receive an "F" and be subject to further disciplinary action. (I have spies who are working for me).

12:30 PM: Faculty meeting in which I, along with my colleagues, are reminded that the low retention numbers and the sudden increase in student absences are our fault. Faculty does not do enough to encourage the students to stay in class. Also, adjuncts are now required to attend faculty development seminars, which we are not compensated and there are no plans to compensate us in the future. Plus, adjuncts must attend their own faculty development meeting, which we will not be compensated for, in January when we have not even signed our contracts for the next semester. Then, senior adjuncts (like yours truly, are "encouraged" to act as facilitators.

1:30 PM: Massive headache, upset stomach (from the disgusting pizza and wings served at the faculty meeting) and cramps results in my ripping off the heads of my law class.

3:00 PM: I get cornered by a member of the administration to serve as a facilitator for the adjunct development. Felt to sick to work out.

3:30 PM: I realized that I forgot to write the take home exam for my Criminal Law class. They are supposed to get it tomorrow.

4:30 PM: Headed home, having not accomplished anything with the take home. My only consolation was big sloppy kisses from the The Boy, a nap on the couch until 6:00 and Husband with dinner cooked and a sympathetic ear.

8:30 PM: Still have not written the exam. Needed to vent. I guess I better get to work.

Suppose you have a student who is failing your course. He is currently at 23%. There is a research paper and an oral presentation left to do, which is a combined 30% of his overall grade. Even if he earns a perfect score on the remaining assignments, he will still fail the course. The student wants to know what he needs to do to pass.

Do you:

1. Find a polite way to tell him that he is screwed, or
2. Encourage him to complete the work, making no promises of passing the course, but you know that he is going to fail?
   

• Attendance drastically drops because student loan refund checks were distributed. (I call it "Check Day")
• When you ask a student if they have an assignment that is due, he or she looks at you like you are speaking Swahili.
• Only one student in a class of 15 turns in an assignment on time.
• A student who has not attended class since mid October asks you what he or she has to make up.
• A student who has not submitted any work all semester asks you what he or she needs to do to pass your class.
• The dreaded "Do you give extra credit?" comes up at least once a day.
• You need hard liquor to get through grading a stack of papers. (I use whiskey)
• The number of papers you have to grade equals or exceeds the number of loads of laundry yet to be done.

Feel free to contribute!

Had to miss seeing the concert because my neck of the woods is in the middle of a nasty snow storm! (six inches and counting since 5 PM!)

FUCK!!!!

And we had such great seats too! We were within request distance! Hopefully they will do a second leg of their North American tour in the spring.

Hey Prisca, bet you don't miss the Lake Effect stuff!

Husband and I are going to see these guys tonight. Today's playlist is in their honor.

Long Live Rock
Can't Explain
Substitute
Squeeze Box
Baba O'Reily
Eminence Front
My Generation
Magic Bus
5:15
Love Reign on Me
See Me, Feel Me
Another Tricky Day
Won't Get Fooled Again
Behind Blue Eyes
Who Are You?
Mike Post Theme*
Man in a Purple Dress*

*From the new CD "Endless Wire"

I am thinking about giving an oral exam in my Employment Law class. I have a small class (three students), so I think it would work well. Plus, it would be interesting to see if they can think on their feet. I would tell the class what chapters and topics will be covered. No notes or outlines will be permitted. It would kind of be like an interview in which I will ask them about different topics, either by explaining a particular concept or asking them to respond to a hypothetical.

Have any of you used an oral exam for your content area? Do you have any comments or suggestions for me? Also, my college is big on rubrics (I hate rubrics), so if you have one, could I "borrow" it?

Thanks everyone for your concern regarding my water-logged basement. Luckily, there was no serious damage. We were able to get the important stuff out of harm's way, like the golf clubs and the Boy's food container! Poor Husband spent the time outside in the rain, trying to divert the water flow in the right direction towards the street. Meanwhile, I was sweeping the water the came into the basement towards the sump pump.

This is just another slap of crazy weather we have experienced lately.

Hey GML, what's next....locusts???

My basement is flooding as we speak. It is raining really hard. It is supposed to turn into snow tonight.

Oh crap, now it's beginning to thunder...

Holiday bullets:

• My father-in-law has grown a mullet. That's right, a mullet! I am trying to figure out why a 65 year old man would even consider such a horrendous thing. One guess is mid life crisis. Someone asked me if he has purchased a Corvette yet. That leads me to my next guess which is he is too cheap! I have threatened to cut it while he is sleeping.
• My mom is doing great with her cancer treatment. I think what has helped her is her cat, a beautiful Maine Coon cat. There is truly a link between animals and healing.
• I was able to do some Christmas shopping while I was away. It helps that there is no sales tax on most items in Redneck-ville State.

Other bullets:

• I am one step closer to finishing the divorce from Hell. I submitted the papers for the Judge's signature. Once I receive them, I can file them with the court clerk. Yippie!!!! Only one more month of malpractice insurance payments!!!!
• It is raining like crazy here. It is supposed to change to snow tonight. I had to laugh at a Dallas woman I saw on the new yesterday. She was "afraid" of the snow. I told Husband that we should move there and bring winter gear and sell it. We would make a killing!!!
• I had to knock some sense into a couple of my students in my Employment Law class. I have one student who is just phenomenal. She is an excellent student. She gets A's on all of her work, plus does any extra credit that is offered. She is the president of her honorary fraternity and an officer in other clubs. Plus, she is a divorced mom with six kids. She doesn't brag about her grades or complains about her life. But two students in my class know that she does well and they give her grief because they believe she is "killing the curve." One said something so disrespectful that I had to step in and address the issue. I told them that I don't grade on a curve, I have never graded on a curve and will never grade on a curve. I also told them that the grade you get is the grade you earn. You give crap, you get a crap grade. I also told them that treating this student they way that they do is not only disrespectful, but extremely childish, and if they continue to act like children, I would treat them as such.
• Go here and vote to name the Atlanta Zoo's new baby Panda "Bright Star" after the lovely Bright Star!